North Volleyball finds success with new head coach
When Nancy Eskay stepped down as North Fort Myers head volleyball coach, whomever succeeded her was going to have a hard act to follow.
Enter Anthony Mendez, who has gotten the Red Knights off to their best start in years. They reached the championship game of the Gene Gorman Invitational at Charlotte High School, and showed this team should be a tough out once we get to the postseason.
Mendez started the year 12-1 thanks to the fact he has familiarity with the girls from travel ball in both indoor and beach volleyball.
“We’re very scrappy. We aren’t a very big team but our service is very impressive and aggressive so we put the other team in their heels,” Mendez said. “If we serve well, it helps us out the rest of the game.”
Mendez is a little bit different from Eskay, who coach Big Red for 14 years. His practices tend to be a lot looser and more fun while he preaches fundamentals and simplicity on both sides of the net, executing them with precision with six-on-six scrimmages and other techniques.
“We run a high-ball offense, so nothing catches our hitters by surprise and the defense is able to pick things up and get tips off the blocks covered well,” Mendez said.
The team is loaded with experienced veterans led by Sydnie Weaver, who leads the team in kills, and Harley Mendez, a libero who leads in digs. Sophomore Carly Painter has been the best all-around player as she’s among the leaders in kills and digs and leads with aces.
“Harley covers my entire backcourt. She does well in passing and serve receive and I have four other seniors who have been tremendous,” Mendez said. “They have been leading the charge.”
Harley Mendez said things have been going great and she has learned how to become more of a leader.
“The practices are fun and the girls get along great. It’s probably been my favorite season yet,” Harley said. “Going into practices in the past was harder work and strict but we’re doing different drills and the change has been good. Winning helps.”
Amari Jennings has been another backline stopper. She said coach Mendez has seen what they can do and sets them up for success.
“He’s been switching up the positions, which has been a big help for all the hitters,” Jennings said. “I’ve been getting to my spots more. I played middle but I’ve transitioned to the right side where it’s slower.”
Weaver said the team connects with each other well and that the team has helped her become one of the top players in the area.
“They encourage me along the way and they put the pieces together so I can finish for them.” Weaver said. “Coach lets us do fun things at practice and we’ve bonded well and he puts us in positions where we work well.”
Despite the strong start, the Red Knight are eighth in the region due to strength of schedule. That number went up at the Gene Gorman Invite.
After beating Ida Baker (for the third time), North was pitted with DeSoto County, one of the top programs in the region, also called the Bulldogs.
North won the first set and had a big lead in the second, only to cough it up and see the momentum completely shift. The Bulldogs came from behind to win the second set and then the third to take the match.
The Red Knights recovered and beat Out-of-Door Academy in its next match, resulting in a three-way tie for first in their bracket with Out-of-Door and DeSoto. North was declared the first-place team.
The Red Knights narrowly won in straight sets in the semifinal over Evangelical Christian and would play host Charlotte in the final. It was not meant to be as Charlotte cruised in two sets 25-7, 25-12.
Harley Mendez was named to the All-Tournament team. Coach Mendez said he was happy with how the tournament played out.
“We played well every single game. We came out flat for this one,” Mendez said. “I wish we could have upped our game against Charlotte. Going 3-2 and losing in the finals against a well-coached team isn’t bad.”
After losing to Charlotte, the team rattled off three straight wins before falling to Estero on Sept. 26.
The Red Knights are back in action at home against Bonita Springs on Oct. 6, and have an overall record of 18-4.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com