- December 4, 2025
The Matanzas volleyball team celebrates a three-set victory over Mainland in its season-opening match. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Mainland freshman Seyahna Sampson hits over the net. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas outside hitter Sanigh Arneaud goes up for a kill. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas co-captain Haley Stewart watches her serve. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Mainland senior Krista Greco serves. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas senior Olivia Chochev (1) celebrates a point with her teammates. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Mainland's Krista Greco passes. Photo by Brent Woronoff
The Pirates celebrate their three-set sweep over the Bucs. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas middle blocker Ari Allen goes for the kill. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas senior Olivia Chochev waits for the ball. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas junior Sanigh Arneaud serves. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas junior Kaylie Christoff hits over the net. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas junior Sanigh Arneaud (4) hits between Mainland's Jeslene Gonzalez (18) and Aubree Morgan. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Junior Aubree Morgan serves for Mainland. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Mainland sophomore Kaliyah Legette had two serving aces against Matanzas. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Mainland senior Emma Starr serves. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas sophomore setter Analise Smith serves. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Sophomore libero Aliya Lugo-Navas serves for the Pirates. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Mainland freshman Seyahna Sampson (10). Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas swept Mainland 3-0 on Wednesday, Aug. 27, in Julie Menendez’s return as the Pirates’ head volleyball coach.
While Mainland was playing its fourth match of the season, this was the Pirates’ season-opener on their newly surfaced gym floor.
The Pirates defeated the Bucs, 25-12, 25-7, 25-13. Menendez is in her 12th year as a volleyball coach with Matanzas, but this is her first year as Pirates’ head coach since 2021. She takes over for Dawn Moses, who led the team the past three seasons.
While Matanzas has a bunch of new players this season, Menendez's relationship with some goes way back.
“She was my third-grade PE teacher at Belle Terre Elementary School, and she was my first-ever club coach,” junior setter Haley Stewart said. “She shaped me into the athlete I am today.”
Stewart played on the Pirates’ JV team last year where Menendez was her coach.
“We moved up together,” Stewart said. “I’m excited for this season with her.”
The Pirates have only two seniors in Olivia Chochev and Nevaeh Walker, but they have a lot of experienced volleyball players, several — including junior outside hitter Sanigh Arneaud — who have played on the Winnerz Circle travel team. Arneaud had 201 kills and 154 digs for First Baptist Christian Academy last year.
Arneaud is one of several Matanzas hitters and middle blockers who can attack the net, Menendez said.
We have a very well-rounded hitting team. But can Sanigh hit it hard? Oh, yeah.
— JULIE MENENDEZ, Matanzas coach
“We have a very well-rounded hitting team,” she said. “But can Sanigh hit it hard? Oh, yeah.
“We have a very unselfish team,” Menedez added. “They’re very skilled and very smart, and everyone plays, which is nice.”
The Bucs (0-5) have a new coach in Stephen Young, and, like Matanzas, a lot of new faces.
“This is a new team. They graduated seven of 11 last year,” Young said. “They’re fighting very hard. We have some things to work on, but it’s still early in the season.”
Mainland lost 3-1 to Father Lopez on Aug. 28, one night after playing at Matanzas. The Bucs battled to win the second set in extra points at 28-26. Father Lopez improved to 2-2 with the four-set victory. Senior Jeslene Gonzalez led the Bucs with 5 kills and 10 digs against the Green Wave.
