{"id":3901,"date":"2026-06-12T23:04:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T23:04:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=3901"},"modified":"2026-06-12T23:04:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T23:04:39","slug":"all-area-boys-volleyball-horizon-senior-james-caleo-is-player-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=3901","title":{"rendered":"All-Area Boys Volleyball: Horizon senior James Caleo is Player of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

Leadership isn\u2019t assumed for a high school senior athlete.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s typically something that comes from within, and, in the right situation, can help an athlete make a team better.<\/p>\n

Read more DeLand\u2019s FHSAA record-setter, Peyton McKenzie, is boys weightlifter of year<\/a><\/p>\n

That\u2019s 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\u2019s No. 1 team.<\/p>\n

The boys volleyball team is the first from the school, which opened in 2021, to reach a state championship match or game. For Caleo\u2019s efforts, he is the Orlando Sentinel boys volleyball Player of the Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year I feel like I tried to lead more as an example,\u201d Caleo said. \u201cOur 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\u2019re gonna pull through.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to his leadership, Caleo produced on the court with 353 kills, 208 digs, 37 aces, 25 blocks and 384 serve receptions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe team looked to him for leadership, energy and excitement, and it pushed them to equal his levels,\u201d Horizon assistant coach Jack Sarnowski said. \u201cEven in practice, he worked his butt off, helping younger guys and it instilled confidence in all of our players.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 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,\u201d said his mother, Kristen Caleo, who became Horizon\u2019s head coach this season. \u201cHis consistency, leadership, and ability to perform when it mattered most were major reasons this team had the best season in school history.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Horizon topples Lake Brantley in historic FHSAA boys volleyball state semifinal<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n