COCONUT CREEK, FLA. (WSVN) – A South Florida high school volleyball team is on track toward a state title, and their head coach says laserlike focus, drive, and a young star player are key to their success.
The North Broward Preparatory School’s girls volleyball team has been on a mission since day one of the season. The Eagles, boasting a 24-2 record, are ranked number one in Class 4 and 11th overall in the state.
“When I first got hired back in January, we had a quick little roundtable to set our goals for the year,” said head coach Brian Coughenour. “The number one word they came up with was ‘competitive.’ We want to be competitive and go out the gate strong, and they bought in right away.”
While the team was loaded with seniors when Coughenour arrived, it’s the youngest player who has emerged as one of the Eagles’ standout stars. Emma Luehrs, who plays the center position, is crucial in feeding the ball to her teammates for powerful slams at the net.
At just 14 years old and an eighth grader, Luehrs is playing beyond her years. “Confidence is the biggest thing for me,” she said. “If you go in not feeling ready or like you don’t belong, it holds you back. But I know I’m here for a reason.”
Luehrs started playing volleyball on travel teams at the age of 8 and has already surpassed 1,000 career assists. “It felt very overwhelming at first,” she admitted, “but then I told myself, ‘I just have to be myself and work really hard toward this opportunity.’”
Coach Coughenour praised the seniors for rallying around Luehrs. “She’s really what helps us go,” he said.
North Broward Prep recently earned the regional championship after beating Mather Lakes Academy. Senior defensive captain Destiny Wiggins helped lead the Eagles to victory. Notably, Wiggins is the cousin of former Miami Heat captain Udonis Haslem.
“It’s business,” said Wiggins. “We have to be locked in at all times because every team wants to beat us. We are the team to beat, so yeah, it’s pretty straightforward business.”
Looking ahead, North Broward Prep will face Southwest Florida’s Lemon Bay High School in the state semifinals on Friday. The winner of that match advances to the final round on Saturday.
https://wsvn.com/sports/we-have-to-be-locked-in-north-broward-preps-girls-volleyball-team-poised-to-vie-for-state-title/
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