PORT ST. LUCIE — Unlike most movies and music albums, the Legacy High School volleyball team proved that sequels can be better than the original.
The Lions were incredibly impressive in their debut season in 2025, winning a district title and reaching the regional finals in their first year of existence. The crowning moment of their encore performance in 2026 resulted in a near-sonic boom of applause and, more importantly, has them bound for Central Florida.
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Second-year Legacy earned its first state tournament appearance after defeating Lourdes Academy in three sets during the Region 4-4A final Wednesday in front of a raucous crowd inside the Legacy High School gymnasium. Set scores were 25-16, 25-19 and 25-21 in favor of the Lions, who will play in a Class 4A state semifinal next week.
“I really can’t put it into words,” Legacy coach Christy Quigley said. “It really feels amazing, but amazing just doesn’t seem like a good enough word for it.”
Startup program to back-to-back: Legacy volleyball makes more district history
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As loud as the gym was following match point, Legacy’s players were just as amped up between the second and third sets. They walked toward the entrance of their locker room and could be heard over music from the DJ booth blaring through the speakers.
However, all of that noise quieted once the Bobcats (20-9) used a 6-0 run to build a 10-5 lead in the third set, prompting a Quigley timeout. The message in the huddle was direct.
“We had to calm down and play our game,” senior right-side hitter Sophia Spychalla said. “We know what we’re doing. We just have to focus on our serves and our passing, and we’ll be good.”
The hosts quickly climbed back into it. Two kills from senior outside hitter Taylor Smith kick-started a 6-1 run that put the Lions (24-7) ahead 14-13.
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The third set was a back-and-forth battle from there. The teams were tied six times before Legacy made a 5-0 push to secure the regional championship.
A Smith kill, followed by an ace from sophomore defensive specialist Isabella Gago and a kill from senior setter Meredith Prince, put the Lions on the brink. Then, on match point, Lourdes senior Sierra Cotter hit an attack out of bounds in front of the Lions’ bench to start the celebration.
“I’m literally shaking right now. I honestly don’t know what to feel,” Smith said. “I’m so proud of everyone on my team. We went to the regional finals last year, and we got to come back and prove ourselves this year. Now, I want to go farther and win the state championship.”
Legacy was the No. 1 seed in Region 4-4A, while the Bobcats were the No. 2 seed. The Lions have won their last seven matches.
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The Class 4A state semifinals will take place next Wednesday at the Winter Haven Health Center at Polk State College in Winter Haven. The 4A state championship match is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7.
Region 1 champion Fleming Island, Region 2 champion Bishop Moore and Region 3 champion St. Petersburg complete the Class 4A field.
This story will be updated.
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: From Startup to State Bound: Legacy sweeps Lourdes for first region title
