One of the area’s top volleyball players contributed at a high level for the state of Florida at one of the more prestigious youth volleyball events in the country earlier this month.
Venice rising senior Summer Kohler was one of 12 high school volleyball players from Florida — at the U19 level — that were invited to the 2024 USA All-Star Volleyball Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, earlier in July.
The event hosted hundreds of the best volleyball players from across the country, and Kohler got the nod this summer after missing out the previous two years.
“It was really, really special to me,” Kohler said. “It was refreshing to play with a whole team of players that have the same exact mindset as me. All the chips fell into place this time. This was the year for me, and I’m hoping to make this team again next summer.”
Kohler’s team — Team Florida U19 — played in seven matches over a four-day period against stiff competition.
Kohler’s group won its pool, sweeping through four clubs behind an impressive 12-1 set record.
After falling to North Texas U19 in five sets, Florida U19 managed to win the gold bracket — and the entire U19 division — with a pair of dominant victories over Team Wisconsin U19 and Team Nebraska U19.
“I’d say it was one of the best weeks of my volleyball career to this point,” Kohler said. “It meant a lot to be up on that stage with the gold medal. The win meant a lot to the whole team, and it was amazing how well we played and bonded together in such a short amount of time.”
For her efforts, Kohler made the All-Tournament Team, along with three of her teammates in Zara Stewart (First Baptist Academy of Naples), Quinn Morrissey (Tampa Plant) and Elena Dibbs-Frantz (Carrollwood Day School of Tampa).
“Going into the tournament, I honestly didn’t think I was going to play much,” Kohler said. “Everyone that made the team was so good, and there were four other outside hitters on the roster already. I had low expectations going in, but the next thing you know, I’m starting the first match at outside hitter. It was such a blessing.”
UPCOMING SENIOR SEASONWith fall practice starting this week, Kohler is switching all of her attention toward her role with the Venice Indians.
The rising senior will be the team’s most prolific player at the net for a third straight season and hopes to help put her team back into contention for a state championship.
“There’s been a lot of excitement and anticipation surrounding this upcoming season,” Kohler said. “We want to get back what we lost last year. I don’t want to jinx it, but we all have the same plan and expectations going into this season. It’s been fun connecting with everyone.”
The Indians had a strong 22-7 campaign a year ago, but fell to eventual 7A state champion Plant in the regional final at the end of the year.
A number of key pieces graduated from last season’s team, but Kohler feels confident in what’s coming together for the 2024 season.
“We have a strong group of seniors that know what to do,” Kohler said. “We know what it takes, and we know that we need to take on bigger leadership roles and bring on more responsibility if we want things to go the way we want them to at the end of the year.
“Outside of the seniors, there’s a lot to be excited about. Freshman Brooke Gruhl has been playing with us on our club team, and she’s really, really good for her age. Also, Tien Murray, one of our middle hitters, has progressed an incredible amount this summer.”
Another change for the USC-Upstate commit that’s been an adjustment for everyone on the roster, was head coach Brian Wheatley’s departure.
While replacing Wheatley is a tall task, Kohler feels the program is in a good place under Jay Lanham.
“It was definitely a big change for all of us,” Kohler said. “But we’re really excited to see what coach Jay’s going to bring to the program. He brings a lot of new ideas and perspective to the table. Nobody’s ever going to be able to be like Wheatley, but maybe that can be a good thing. Maybe a fresh start will be good for this team. We’re going to carry on what Wheatley started, while also starting a new legacy with coach Jay.”
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