Florida Volleyball Rising Star
Beachside Volleyball Rises as a Top Florida Contender Behind Freshman Phenom
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Key Points
1
Indiana has hit .278 as a team since its season opener, and eight different Hoosiers have recorded at least seven kills in a match this season.
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In the loss to Wisconsin, two Indiana players shared the team lead with 16 kills each, while a first-year outside hitter recorded a career-high 11 kills.
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Gladewater’s Kennedi Laney had 16 kills in the loss, while Lauren Long and Hannah Mitchell each recorded five aces.
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Beachside is ranked ninth in Florida, just outside the top eight that qualify for the state’s new Open Division tournament. Nina Simanic is 6-foot-3 and 14 years old, and Prep Dig ranks her Florida’s No. 1 recruit in the class of 2030.
Beachside High School has emerged as Florida's fastest-rising volleyball power, jumping from a road-only inaugural season in 2022 to a state-ranked 21-3 program led by 14-year-old freshman phenom Nina Simanic. Prep Dig ranks Simanic, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter, as Florida's No. 1 recruit in the class of 2030, and coach Austin Lanteigne has transformed the program into a major Division I pipeline despite starting without an on-campus gymnasium.
Meanwhile, No. 15 Indiana volleyball bounces back from a five-set loss to No. 6 Wisconsin and heads to Rutgers on October 4, seeking its 10th win of the season and third Big Ten victory. The Hoosiers hit .278 as a team this season, with eight different players recording at least seven kills in a single match.
From Gym-Less Startup to State Contender
Beachside High opened in 2022 without its own gymnasium. The girls' volleyball team practiced at off-site facilities and played an entire road-based inaugural schedule. Four years later, the program is unrecognizable. The team boasts a 21-3 record and sits ranked No. 9 in Florida, just one spot outside the top eight that qualify for the state's new Open Division tournament.
Coach Austin Lanteigne has built a powerhouse from the ground up. "If these girls wear their shirt at the local Publix, people might recognize them or know about Beachside volleyball," Lanteigne told The St. Augustine Citizen. The program now attracts elite talent and regular attention from major Division I scouts.
Nina Simanic Leads Historic Freshman Class
At the center of Beachside's rapid rise is Nina Simanic, a 6-foot-3 freshman who combines rare size with composure in high-pressure moments. She plays alongside her older sister, setter Ana Simanic, creating a dual-talent pipeline. Prep Dig ranks her as Florida's top recruit for the class of 2030 — a remarkable distinction for a freshman.
Simanic's talent has caught the attention of national scouting networks. Analysts highlight her blend of power and poise during tight situations, marking her as a legitimate top national prospect before she even completes her freshman year.
Indiana Targets Rutgers After Wisconsin Upset
Indiana's No. 15 volleyball team suffered a tight 3-2 loss to No. 6 Wisconsin on October 1, snapping a seven-match winning streak. The Hoosiers dropped the first two sets before mounting a near-comeback, showing the kind of resilience that could fuel a Big Ten run. Two Indiana players shared the team lead with 16 kills each, while a first-year outside hitter recorded a career-high 11 kills.
The Hoosiers now travel to Piscataway, New Jersey, to face Rutgers on October 4. Indiana enters at 9-3 overall with a 2-1 Big Ten record. A win would give the Hoosiers their 10th victory and 3rd conference triumph as they push toward the postseason.
Sabine Sweeps Gladewater in East Texas Action
In Texas high school volleyball, Sabine dominated Gladewater with a 3-0 sweep on October 1. Sabine's Adyson Evans led the attack with multiple kills, while senior teammate Sarah Roberts reached a career milestone — 1,000 digs — cementing her legacy as one of the program's all-time defenders.
Gladewater's Kennedi Laney recorded 16 kills in the losing effort, while Lauren Long and Hannah Mitchell each posted 5 service aces. Despite the loss, Gladewater showed enough firepower to keep the match competitive.
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