By: Ali Yenchick
Over April 3–5, Florida’s Sports Coast Elite (FSC Elite) Volleyball 15 Blue turned a national stage into their statement moment at the 2026 Big South USAV National Qualifier—one of the biggest qualifiers in the country with more than 240 colleges in attendance.
A Top-Tier Run In A Loaded Division
Competing in the 15 USA division, the second-highest tier in their age group, FSC Elite 15 Blue started the weekend seeded 13th out of 69 teams and quickly proved they were under-ranked. They opened the tournament 6–0 without dropping a single set, rolling into Championship Day as one of the hottest teams in the field.
By the end of the weekend, 15 Blue finished with a 9–1 record and a second-place overall finish in 15 USA—one of the strongest results in program history.
Homegrown Team, Big-Time Moment
Florida’s Sports Coast Elite practices out of Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, managed by The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC). Elite Volleyball Director and assistant coach, Monica Ewalt, has helped build a true “homegrown” pathway at Wiregrass—one that starts in developmental programs and grows into national-level competition.
That story came full circle at Big South: seven of the ten players on the 15 Blue roster have been with the Wiregrass program since the very beginning, moving from developmental courts to Elite play by age 11. Their success in Atlanta is a win not just for the team, but for the entire Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus community that has backed them along the way.
15 Blue is led by head coach Skylar Singleton and assistant coach Monica Ewalt.
The Bid: Two Must-Win Matches, One Major First
Day 3 was all pressure, no guarantees. To grab a bid to USAV Girls Junior Nationals, FSC Elite 15 Blue had to win two straight matches against top-level opponents.
- They survived a three-set battle in their first match of the day, showing toughness and composure with their season on the line.
- In the next match, they handled business and locked in the win that secured Florida’s Sports Coast Elite’s first-ever bid as a club.
Only the top four teams in the 15 USA division earn a bid to USAV Girls Junior Nationals. 15 Blue didn’t just sneak in—they pushed all the way to the semifinals, then won another three-set thriller to reach the finals of 15 USA.
Standout Performances
All ten athletes had a hand in the run, but several players consistently rose to the moment:
- Tanner Henderson (Libero #6) – A 2025 AAU National All-American and the defensive backbone of 15 Blue, controlling the back row and keeping rallies alive.
- Reiss Burroughs (Pin #3) and Brooklynn Lynch (Pin #2) – High-impact pins who delivered big swings in key moments and provided steady scoring all weekend.
- Lia Black (Setter #5) – A 2025 AAU National All-American who steered the offense, spread the ball, and kept defenses guessing.
Together, they powered the team to a 9–1 record, a finals appearance, and the club’s first-ever bid.
What’s Next
The story isn’t over yet. FSC Elite 15 Blue will compete at USAV Girls Junior Nationals (GJNC) June 25–28 in Indianapolis, Indiana—taking their homegrown Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus roots onto one of the biggest stages in junior volleyball.
If your community is ready to build or elevate a volleyball program, The Sports Facilities Companies can help you design, develop, and operate a model that grows homegrown talent and attracts regional and national events. From facility planning to program development and events, our team provides the expertise to turn your sports campus into a true volleyball destination.
