Leadership isn’t assumed for a high school senior athlete.
It’s typically something that comes from within, and, in the right situation, can help an athlete make a team better.
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That’s the best way to describe Horizon senior James Caleo, whose leadership and skill helped lead the Hawks to the Class 3A final before a three-set loss to state champ Miami Columbus, the state’s No. 1 team.
The boys volleyball team is the first from the school, which opened in 2021, to reach a state championship match or game. For Caleo’s efforts, he is the Orlando Sentinel boys volleyball Player of the Year.
“This year I feel like I tried to lead more as an example,” Caleo said. “Our team had really great chemistry and everyone was in charge of themselves and wanted to show up every day. So it was important to me to make sure I was there in the pressure moments and they could look at me during those times, feeling more calm about it and knowing we’re gonna pull through.”
In addition to his leadership, Caleo produced on the court with 353 kills, 208 digs, 37 aces, 25 blocks and 384 serve receptions.
“The team looked to him for leadership, energy and excitement, and it pushed them to equal his levels,” Horizon assistant coach Jack Sarnowski said. “Even in practice, he worked his butt off, helping younger guys and it instilled confidence in all of our players.”
Caleo stepped up in the biggest matches for the Hawks, leading the team in kills in both the state semifinal win over Lake Brantley, and the loss to Columbus with nine in each match. Against Lake Brantley, he added eight digs.
“In the biggest moments, everyone knew he would rise to the occasion, and that confidence gave his teammates someone to follow when the pressure was the highest,” said his mother, Kristen Caleo, who became Horizon’s head coach this season. “His consistency, leadership, and ability to perform when it mattered most were major reasons this team had the best season in school history.”
Horizon topples Lake Brantley in historic FHSAA boys volleyball state semifinal
Caleo’s ability to receive serve and get his team’s offense into gear were second-to-none.
“We rate serve receiving on a 0-3 scale (with three being the highest), and we had James at 2.6,” Sarnowski said. “That means he put the pass right on top of our setter in the perfect position almost every time.”
The coach’s kid will continue his volleyball career at the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina.
But he hopes that the state finals run starts a tradition at Horizon.
“Finishing second was a little disappointing, but I think we accomplished more than that with the impact we made with our school,” he said. “With filling up the stands and people talking about our games at school, we broke the barrier for what we thought boys volleyball could ever be in this area. That means more to me than winning.”
Players of the year and Sentinel standouts are selected by the Sentinel staff with input from area coaches. Athletes represent schools eligible for the FHSAA state series from Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and southwest Volusia counties.
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Sentinel Standouts
Diego Armien Afu, Lake Brantley, Sr.
His all-around game helped the Patriots reach the state semifinals with 238 kills, 147 digs, 28 blocks and 28 aces.
Nicholas Baker, Winter Park, Sr.
He followed two-time Sentinel Player of the Year Jacob Little-Phillips at setter and wound up with 773 assists, 193 digs, 26 blocks, 16 aces and 74 kills.
Xavier Borges, Lake Howell, Sr.
The Kentucky State signee helped Lake Howell win the 2A state title with 320 kills, 141 digs, 37 aces, 32 blocks, 36 assists.
John Gomes Garcia, Lake Brantley, Sr.
He helped lead the Patriots to the 3A final four with 346 kills, 45 blocks and 106 digs to end his high school career.
Philip Hanna, Bishop Moore, Sr.
His all-around game helped the Hornets reach a region final with 364 kills (seventh in the state), 253 digs, and 22 blocks.
Rafael Melo, Horizon, Sr.
Smart setter (5.4 grade point average) averaged 8.8 assists per set for 714 total for the season for state runners-up.
Kaiden Mezalon, Lake Howell, Sr.
He led the state with 868 assists to go with 140 digs, 55 aces, 58 kills and 36 blocks as the setter for the back-to-back 2A state champs.
Lucas Mullen, Freedom, Soph.
Team Florida 15U player averaged 9.7 assists per set and totaled 832 assists (third in the state). Also 115 kills, 225 digs, 58 blocks, 20 aces.
Leo Torres, Freedom, Sr.
Repeat All-Area standout was superb in the middle with .464 hitting percentage. Had 256 kills, 99 blocks (10th-most in the state).
Honorable mention
Gabe Callejas, Bishop Moore, Sr.
Aidan Fontaine, Winter Park, Sr.
Gavin Miller, Hagerty, Sr.
JanPaul Matos, Freedom, Sr.
Jayden Rivera, Lake Howell, Sr.
Efrain Rivera Rodriguez, Lake Brantley, Sr.
Samuel Zapata, Colonial, Sr.
Horizon topples Lake Brantley in historic FHSAA boys volleyball state semifinal
Varsity content editor Buddy Collings can be contacted by email at [email protected].
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