Orangewood Rams Defy Odds, Reach FHSAA Final Four Without Star

UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events, the Orangewood Christian Rams have advanced to the FHSAA Final Four for the tenth time, defeating Trinity Catholic of Ocala in a thrilling match without their star player, Ellie Enger. The match, held on July 15, 2023, saw the Rams battle back to win three straight games, finishing with scores of 21-25, 29-27, 25-17, and 25-21.

This victory is monumental as it marks the first time this season that the Rams played without Enger, a contender for freshman All-American honors. The 6-foot-2 setter, who leads the team with 303 kills and has been selected for the inaugural USA Volleyball Girls 17U National Team, is currently attending a training camp at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs. If Enger makes the final cut of 12 players, she will miss the upcoming state tournament.

Despite the absence of their kills leader, the Rams showcased resilience and teamwork. Coach Diane Langmo, who has led the team for 36 years, noted the initial nerves but emphasized the team’s determination. “I think the girls were really nervous without Ellie, but we knew what we had to do against this team,” she said.

The Rams, now boasting an impressive record of 26-4 with 11 consecutive wins, will face off in the state semifinals on Monday at 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. at Polk State College in Winter Haven. The championship game is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Key players stepped up during the match, with juniors Kaleigh Langmo and Kennedy Langmo leading the offensive charge, contributing 24 kills and 18 kills respectively. Their senior sister Jenna Langmo also made a significant impact, delivering crucial kills that helped the Rams overcome a 17-13 deficit in the final set.

The Rams faced a tough challenge from Trinity Catholic, who led in the first game and had two match points in the second. However, key blocks by ninth-grader Sterling Wiepert turned the tide, allowing Orangewood to seize the momentum. Sophomore Mia Crowell finished the match with 20 assists and 10 digs, while junior Avery Herman added 22 assists to support the Rams’ offensive efforts.

With the regional finals concluded, the FHSAA will announce the updated rankings to determine matchups for the Final Four, where the Rams will face challenging competition from other regional winners, including No. 3 Divine Savior Academy of Miami-Dade County, No. 4 Tampa Prep, and No. 6 First Baptist of Naples.

The emotional weight of this moment is not lost on the players. “We were all bummed about that,” said Kaleigh Langmo about playing without Enger. “But this win gives us a big boost of confidence. We just kept our composure.”

As excitement builds for the state semifinals, all eyes will be on whether Enger can make the national team and what this means for the future of Orangewood volleyball. The Rams have proven their mettle, but the journey is just beginning.

Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates on this developing story.