On paper, Winter Park’s girls volleyball team is in for a rebuilding year with only one player back who played a major role in the Wildcats’ 2024 and 2025 state championships.
But on the court Thursday night, it was a different story. In a preseason match against nationally-ranked Orangewood Christian, the Wildcats once again looked like a team on track for another playoff run under the guidance of iconic head coach Stephanie Gibson.
Orangewood was No. 1 in Florida and No. 5 in the nation in MaxPreps’ preseason rankings, but played without stellar sophomore setter Ellie Enger and had to rally to squeak out a 3-2 win.
Winter Park graduated five college-bound players from its 31-1 title team and then lost 6-foot-5 all-star Isabel Incinelli, who transferred to Orangewood for her senior season.
“I love the way we were able to fight against a really good team,” Gibson said afterward. “It was fun. That’s a huge, huge step for our team. We have a lot to work on, but they did a very good job.”
Winter Park, playing on its home court, won the first game, 25-23, and claimed game three by the same thin margin to regain the lead. Orangewood won game two, 25-23, turned the tide with a 25-17 win in game four, and closed out the win by outscoring the ‘Cats 15-10 in the first-to-15 fifth set.
“We don’t have that sense of urgency to close out games right now,” said Orangewood coach Diane Langmo — who is second behind Gibson in the Central Florida career wins list. “We gotta clean things up because our schedule is really, really strong. Winter Park was fired up tonight. We knew that was coming. Gibby (Gibson) is a great coach. She always has a good team.”
Gibson has a 573-197 record in 26 seasons at Winter Park, and a 902-239 career record in 37 years as a head coach.
Langmo’s record is 775-281 in 36 seasons, all at Orangewood.
Winter Park repeats as 7A girls volleyball state champion
Enger is in Chile as a key starter for the USA Volleyball National Team in the FIVB Girls U17 World Championship tournament, scheduled to conclude Sunday. Her absence certainly showed as the Rams were often out of synch offensively.
Langmo said Enger should be back in time for the Rams’ Tuesday night regular season opener against Olympia, which is coming off a 21-4 season. Whether or not she needs some rest before starting her high school season remains to be seen.
Incinelli, who MaxPreps selected as Florida’s best high school player going into the season, will also miss two weeks and at least four matches as a member of the USA Volleyball U19 and U21 national teams.
“It’s not like they (Enger and Incinelli) are going on vacation,” Langmo said. “Those girls could make the Olympics.”
Volleyball star Isabel Incinnelli leaves 7A champ Winter Park for Orangewood
Incinelli, who is 17, had 15 kills Thursday against an active Winter Park defense that thwarted a number of attacks. Langmo’s twin daughters, Kaleigh (13 kills) and Kennedy (12 kills), added just enough to give Orangewood the victory.
Jordyn Lehman, an FSU commit who is Winter Park’s most experienced player, scrambled for 31 digs to lead a defense that consistently challenged the Rams.
New starters for the Wildcats include Ellie Rodriguez and Sophia Brown, who were reserves last season, and Flavia Sportelli, a left-handed junior setter who transferred from Lake Brantley. Rodriguez had 12 kills, 16 digs, three aces and two blocks in a strong showing. Sportelli had 14 assists, five digs and three aces.
Winter Park lost the first two games against Bishop Moore, but rallied to win 3-2 in a Wednesday exhibition match. The Wildcats travel to DeLand for their season opener on Thursday.
Lake Highland Prep, a state runner-up last season, lost 3-0 against Orangewood on Wednesday and then won Thursday against Bishop Moore — which was a state champ in 2025 — with scores of 24-26, 25-18, 25-18, 26-24.
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Varsity content editor Buddy Collings can be contacted by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.