With head coach Fred Mann at the helm of the volleyball program since 2013, the Pumas have continued to enjoy success on the court.

The 2017 season was Mann’s most successful yet. The largest senior class in the Mann-era, seven seniors helped the Pumas set team records for wins (36), kills (1484), aces (331) and blocks (308).

Senior libero Halle Razo said it simply: “[we] made history.”

But the greatest accomplishment of this year’s volleyball team was not only reaching its first AIA state semifinal, but pushing No. 1 seed Xavier Prep to its limits before eventually falling 3-2.

In what was one of the all-time classic matches in school history, PHS gave the Gators all they could handle, eventually falling just shy of advancing to the championship (25-20; 15-25; 20-25; 25-20; 11-15).

“The girls played like family and I’m very proud of them,” Mann said after the match.

To say that the 2017 squad was special is an understatement. Five of those seven seniors signed to play in college last week, including Razzo.

Four-year starter Ryann Davis left her mark on PHS. The 6’2 senior outside hitter not only lead all Pumas in kills (330) and aces (56), but she wrapped up a historic career in which she played in 393 sets, tallied 1,087 kills, 188 blocks and served 136 aces.

“I definitely think the senior leadership we had on the court is what got us to the final four,” Razzo said, “and I think it grew stronger as we kept playing throughout the season.”

Considering most of the starters were seniors, Razzo commented on how they are setting an example for their successors, “the younger players are able to see how [we] work as a team…”

Another four-year player, Kennedy Kaminsky, concluded one of the greatest defensive careers PHS has ever seen; Kaminsky was a force at the net, tallying 379 blocks in four years.

Kaminsky’s partner on the net, junior Grace Doyle, understands the talent in this senior class, but is also excited about the potential of next year’s team.

“There is a lot of new talent that we’re pulling up,” Doyle said, “so that’s going to help out a lot.”