By Brian Hradsky
Beachside High School defeated Calvary Christian High School of Clearwater 3-2 in the opening round of FHSAA Open Division girls volleyball pool play on October 21, 2026. The Barracudas won the fifth set 15-11 after the Warriors forced a deciding set. The result gave Beachside an important opening victory in Florida’s inaugural Open Division tournament.
Beachside survives five-set playoff test
Beachside won the first two sets 25-18 and 25-16 before Calvary Christian responded 25-12 and 27-25, according to the MaxPreps match recap. Mollie Vandeusen contributed 20 assists, 14 kills, nine digs and four aces for the Barracudas. Isabella Taveras Seda added 20 digs and four aces.
Calvary Christian received 24 kills from Sophia Puleo and 44 assists from Noelle Sarigumba. Maya Talley added five service aces for the Warriors. The five-set finish demonstrated how little separated the teams after Calvary Christian erased its two-set deficit.
October 24 brings second round of pool play
The published schedule lists Beachside against Plant at noon on Saturday, October 24, while Calvary Christian travels to First Baptist Academy at 4 p.m. Both teams continue in pool play, so this result does not eliminate the Warriors. Fans should confirm match times with the host school because postseason schedules can change.
FSB Take
Beachside earned a valuable win by recovering after losing the third and fourth sets. Calvary Christian still has an opportunity to respond in its remaining pool matches. For the Barracudas, carrying that fifth-set composure into the Plant matchup is the next challenge.
Sources: MaxPreps match recap; FHSAA playoff announcement. Featured image: conceptual illustration.