Suwannee volleyball finished its regular season with a 12-5 record after taking out the Hamilton Lady Trojans in four games. Suwannee won the first game 25-11, lost the second 20-25, won the third 25-20 and won the fourth 25-13.



Stephanee Skipper had 16 kills against Hamilton. Skipper also posted 11 service points, five of them aces and four assists.



Heather Benson had an astounding 37 assists along with 15 service points, 10 of them aces.



Ashley Rose has 13 kills, six service points, three aces, eight assists and two blocks.



Alex Camunas had 10 kills, three service points, seven assists and three blocks.



Kyla Serrano had 15 service points, two of them aces and six assists.

Merlonda Owens had one kill, 11 service points and two assists.

Lacy Smith had one service point

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The JV Lady Dogs also defeated Hamilton in two games. They won 25-13 and then 25-22.



It was Senior Night at Suwannee High for the volleyball team. Suwannee had four seniors to honor.



Heather Benson is a four-year player. Benson is home-schooled but participates in the volleyball program. She’s known as Benny by her teammates and is a first-class setter.



“Her skills and scrappy playing have been invaluable to her team,” Coach Cissy Witt said.



Heather plans to go to college and play volleyball.



Merlonda Owens opens every volleyball game by singing the National Anthem. Suwannee fans have become spoiled by her beautiful rendition of the song. Owens has also been in the volleyball program for three years. She is a starting outside hitter.



“She is the hardest hitter on the team,” Witt said.



Owens wants to attend college to get her degree in biology and then start her own medical clinic.



Nereyda Pecina is the defensive Libero player for Suwannee. She’s been on the team for two years and is Suwannee’s first libero player.



“Her accurate passing has given us an opportunity to increase our number of kills,” Witt said.



Pecina is very active in school. She’s this year’s Teen Trendsetter Reading Mentor, a member of the Student Council, Honor Society and the recipient of a Take-Stock in Children Scholarship as well as the Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee. She plans to attend the University of South Florida to obtain a degree in Chemical Engineering and then go on to get her Master’s in Forensic Science. She hopes to join the FBI as a Forensic Engineer.

Kyla Serrano has played volleyball in Suwannee for seven years.



“Her serving has pulled this team out of some tight spots,” Witt said. “And her leadership has brought this team together.”



Serrano is president of the National Honor Society and very involved in her church. She plans to attend Flagler College and specialize in Special Education.