Isabella Dovhey has been a Circle Christian golf lifer.

Since it’s a private home school organization, athletes in grades 6-8 are allowed to compete on its high school teams. Dovhey has earned a spot on the Centurions’ tradition-rich girls golf team every year since sixth grade.

And she competed in the Class 1A state finals all seven times. The seventh was the charm for her and the Centurions team.

Not only did Circle Christian win the state title for the first time since 2013 after four runner-up finishes since that year, Dovhey survived a five-player playoff to become Circle’s first individual girls champion.

“It’s been a dream for so long – since sixth grade when I started,” she said. “Every year it was a goal to win as a team.”

She shot rounds of 69 and 68 to get into the playoff, and won on the third hole.

“On the second day, I wasn’t thinking about the individual title since there were so many at the top,” she said. “I was only thinking about the team winning.”

She shot 73 in Region 2 and 67 in District 7, and was ranked No. 2 in the state by  iWanamaker.com for 18-hole rounds. Put it all together and Dovhey ends her high school career as the Orlando Sentinel Girls Golfer of the Year.

“Bella’s commitment to our team created an opportunity for her to shine as a great role model, as well as leaving a legacy of integrity and great record for future girls to follow,” Circle Christian coach Allyson Kotes said. “She’s always had a game of boldness and determination.”

During the regular season Dovhey shot rounds of 70 and 72 at the Cognizant High School Invitational, and tied for first in the Sam Ryder Invite with 33 for nine holes.

She will continue her golf career at a college known more for football. That would be Miami, the runner-up in the College Football Playoff. Dovhey said she is headed to “The U”  with dreams of playing on the LPGA down the road.

Bella Dovhey (69, 68) leads Circle Christian’s FHSAA 1A golf state champs

Sentinel standouts

Ana Boone, Circle Christian senior

Buzz: She shot 67 and 71 at 1A state finals to finish sixth, just one shot out of the five-person playoff. Posted 74 in Region 2 and 65 for first in District 7 .

Angelina Pacheco, Circle Christian sophomore

Buzz: Posted 74-69 in 1A state meet to repeat on All-Area list. Shot 70 for third in Region 2, 68 for third in district, and 70-71 in the Cognizant Invitational.

Charlize Peterson, Lake Mary Prep junior

Buzz: Repeat All-Area golfer hot 72-73 at 1A state finals after 69 as runner-up in Region 2, 71 in District 7 and 70 to win the Qdoba Burrito Challenge.

Nicole Sardinha, Circle Christian junior

Buzz: Shot rounds of 71 and 70 for the 1A state championship team after posting 70 for third in Region 2,  71 in District 7, and 75-73 at the Cognizant Invitational.

Phah Smitasin, Winter Park sophomore

Buzz: Finished second at 3A state meet with 70-71 after shooting 70 for third in Region 2, 72 for second in district and low round of 63 to win Metro Conference title.

Alexandra Snyder, Lake Nona sophomore

Buzz: Shot 74-71 for fourth in 3A state finals to earn second All-Area status. Carded 68 as Region 2 runner-up, 67 for first in district and a 62 during the season.

Ariana Urea, Windermere Prep senior

Buzz: She shot 75-69 at 1A state meet after 73 in Region 2 and first place 67 in District 6. Had a low round of 66 in tri-match against Circle Christian and Montverde.

Man (Cynthia) Yang, Montverde Academy junior

Buzz: She was also part of the five-way playoff for first in 1A with 70-67. She shot 71 in Region 2 meet, 73 in District 6, and recorded a low 9-hole round of 33.

Ava Zhang, Windermere Prep freshman

Buzz: She shot rounds of 70 and 67 as part of the five-way state Class 1A playoff won by Dovhey. Shot 70 in District 6 and 70 in Region 2 for third place.

Xueyan Zhu, Montverde Academy sophomore

Buzz: Shot 72-71 in the 1A state finals after posting 67 to win Region 2, 72 in District 6, and 71 in a regular season match vs. Circle Christian and Windermere Prep.

Honorable mention

Sofia MacApagal, Lake Nona sophomore

Emma Sanabria, Bishop Moore junior

Claire Yang, Windermere Prep freshman

Angela Wang, The First Academy senior

Xiyao Zhang, Windermere Prep, freshman

USC-bound state champ Mingbo Jiang of TFA is Boys Golfer of the Year

All-area teams consist of FHSAA series participant schools in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and southwest Volusia counties. Selections were made by the Sentinel staff in consultation with area coaches.

Varsity content editor Buddy Collings can by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.