Natasha Macau could have chosen to play volleyball at any of the established big name programs in South Florida.<\/p>\n
But Macau felt something different when she walked into the Coral Gables gym and put on a Cavaliers uniform for the first time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels good to be a part of something new and build a strong volleyball program and community, and not picking a place not so much for its awards but because it feels like home,\u201d Macau said. \u201cIt\u2019s special knowing even after I leave, it will have this kind of impact.\u201d<\/p>\n
Macau, a 5-10 senior outside hitter, has spent the past four years developing into one of the top players in the state.<\/p>\n
Last season, she earned Miami Herald Player of the Year honors after a spectacular junior season in which she finished with 460 kills, 43 aces and 246 digs.<\/p>\n
But individual accolades weren\u2019t what she took the most pride in.<\/p>\n
![\"Natasha](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MIA_2026-01-15AD0134PlayersoftheYearforDade.JPG\" "\\"MIA_2026-01-15AD0134PlayersoftheYearforDade.JPG\\"")
Natasha Macau of Coral Gables High School is the Miami Herald\u2019s Girls\u2019 Volleyball Player of the Year for Miami-Dade County, on Thursday, January 15, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com <\/p>\n
Macau was at the forefront of Coral Gables\u2019 emergence as one of the best teams in Miami-Dade County.<\/p>\n
The Cavaliers went 18-9 last season and advanced to the Class 7A regional semifinals before falling in five sets against Weston Cypress Bay. It was the furthest Gables had made it in the playoffs in nearly four decades.<\/p>\n
This season, they want more.<\/p>\n
Although one of their top hitters, Bianca Benson, graduated, Gables returns a strong group around Macau.<\/p>\n
Sophomore 5-11 outside hitter Gabriella Arias and 5-8 junior middle blocker Mikaela Chang are two of the top hitters up front. Defensively though, the Cavaliers will rely plenty on 5-5 junior libero Kailani Ruiz and 5-5 senior libero Sadie Bosch-Bianchi.<\/p>\n
Coral Gables is already off to an impressive 3-0 start, which includes a five-set win over Lourdes Academy. The Cavaliers will take on Doral Academy and St. Brendan this weekend as part of the Tri-County championship.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery game, we told each other it could be our last game so we wanted to extend the season as long as we could,\u201d Macau said. \u201cI could have gone to another school, but I love the culture here and I didn\u2019t want to risk it. Other schools might have good environments, but I didn\u2019t want to risk losing what I have here.\u201d<\/p>\n
CHANGING THE CULTURE<\/p>\n
Things began to change at Gables in the past four years, even more so after Angela Brown became the indoor coach. Brown, who has coached for nearly 30 years and began her career coaching in Minnesota, helped establish a winning mindset along with her assistant coaches Alysia D\u2019Alemberte, Frank Barrios and Carlos Rodriguez, who also coach on the Cavs\u2019 beach volleyball team. Gables was the first Dade public school to pick up beach volleyball four years ago and both programs have seen a surge during that span.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kids had an understanding of the expectations and culture we were trying to establish. Not a single day is easy,\u201d Brown said. \u201cEvery school will have ups and downs, but once you establish the culture that up and down won\u2019t be as dramatic. You know what your goal is and that\u2019s not changing. If you have your eye on the prize which is building that culture that\u2019s unbreakable, you just go at it each day the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown said the journey has not been easy, especially for a program, which like so many public school athletic programs these days, struggle to stay competitive with private and charter schools with more resources.<\/p>\n
Brown said everyone at Gables from the administration, facilities manager, to the basketball coaches and teachers have all supported the growth of their programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not going after kids. We don\u2019t poach. I don\u2019t believe in that. It\u2019s not my personality,\u201d said Brown, who also coaches youth volleyball. \u201cWe\u2019re going to get what comes through the door, but you bet I\u2019m going to be out and training youth and doing beach volleyball classes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many of the players like Macau are excellent students and part of the school\u2019s International Baccalaureate program. Macau is headed to play volleyball at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
Macau comes from a volleyball family. Her younger sister, Gianna, a freshman, is on the team this season. Her father, Gaston, played collegiately at Rutgers and made it to the AVP Tour, and her uncle, Marcos, also plays the sport.<\/p>\n
Macau said she considers her teammates family and her approach to the team has been a boon as well.<\/p>\n
Macau projects to play setter in college, and plays that position for her club team. But for Gables, Macau is their most dominant outside hitter and has sometimes played in the middle as well because that is where the Cavaliers have needed her skills the most.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll do whatever the team needs me to do,\u201d Macau said. \u201cSince I started playing volleyball, I have played at every spot. I was an outside (hitter) originally, but school needed me to hit. As long as I\u2019m on the court helping the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
KEY DATES<\/p>\n
Sept. 4-5: Tri-County championship; Lourdes tournament; Sept. 18-19: Chaminade-Madonna Cares Tournament; Battle at the Beach at Venice; Sept. 25-26: Florida Christian tournament; Oct. 12-16: Districts; Oct. 20-21: Regional quarterfinals; Oct. 24: Regional semifinals; Oct. 27-28: Regional finals; Nov. 2-7: State championships at Polk State College in Winter Haven.<\/p>\n
MORE OUTLOOKS<\/p>\n
Divine Savior (29-2, 2A state semifinalist) returns senior 5-9 outside Sasha Kawas, who is headed to Penn University. Kawas will lead a younger group trying to get the Sharks back to state. Players to watch include 5-2 freshman setter Samarah Bou, 5-11 freshman middle Manuela Araujo and 5-6 junior outside Fernanda Chamula.<\/p>\n
Westminster Christian (18-11, 2A regional finalist) had its run of six consecutive state finals appearances snapped by Divine Savior a year after winning the 2024 Class 2A state title. The Warriors graduated Georgia signee Gigi Artiles, and are reloading behind senior 6-foot pin Alyana Cadavid and 5-10 junior pin Gaby Arroyo. Senior 5-6 setter Ava Cantos and 5-7 senior middle Lauren Palczynski step into key roles.<\/p>\n
Doral Academy (16-14, 7A state semifinalist) returns a group ready to make another run to the state final four, led by juniors Marcela Carmona, a 5-9 outside hitter, and Amy Smith, a 5-9 setter. Junior 5-11 middle Isabella Frometa anchors the Firebirds up front, along with 5-10 senior outside Alessia Melendez.<\/p>\n
Gulliver (21-8, 3A regional finalist) remains among the strongest contenders in South Florida thanks to a strong core of seniors led by 5-7 setter\/outside hitter Brianna Napoles, a Louisiana-Lafayette commit. Senior 5-4 libero Mia Lavalle, an Iowa commit, is considered one of the best in Dade, and seniors Kate Welty, a 5-8 outside, and Madison Bess, a 6-1 middle who is set to attend West Point, will anchor the Raiders up front.<\/p>\n
Lourdes (26-6, 5A regional finalist) returns five starters, highlighted by 5-11 senior middle blocker Lexie Espin, a Bryant University commit. Junior 5-9 outside Juliette Vazquez-Bello, junior 6-foot middle Nikki Plant and junior 5-5 libero Andrea Nunez are players to watch.<\/p>\n
True North (20-9, 2A regional semifinalist) graduated eight players from its district championship team from a year ago. Senior outside hitters Dayleen Valdes (6-2) and Veronica Fumero (5-8) are fifth-year players and have the experience to lead the Titans back to the postseason in a tough region. Senior 5-5 libero Andrea Aguirre and junior 5-9 right side Dahlia Santana add depth.<\/p>\n
Palmetto (17-11, 7A regional semifinalist) returns a talented group led by sophomore 6-2 middle Ana Lucia Alvarez, junior 5-8 libero Carmela Rosenburg, junior 5-10 setter Peyton Banens and sophomore 6-1 middle Thea Fonseca.<\/p>\n
Coral Reef (16-11, 7A regional quarterfinalist) will be led by senior middle Chelsea Dryer, junior outside hitters Angelina Arteaga and Bella Stempien, and junior setter Alessandra Aguair.<\/p>\n
Palmer Trinity (17-10, 2A regional quarterfinalist) graduated Tampa University signee Ainoa Molleja, but returns a strong group led by 5-8 senior outside Daviana Herrera. Junior 5-9 middle Olivia Rivera, 5-8 sophomore right side Maria Gaspar and 5-9 sophomore Sophia Ranford add depth to the Falcons roster.<\/p>\n
St. Brendan (10-11, 3A regional quarterfinalist) will aim for a return trip to the playoffs behind senior 5-3 libero Nelly Baltodano\u2019s leadership. Joining Baltodano will be junior 5-5 outside Gabrielle Hernandez, junior 5-10 middle Carolina Hechavarria and sophomore 5-10 opposite Daniela Masso.<\/p>\n
Monsignor Pace (14-11, 3A regional semifinalist) will try to reload behind a talented group of freshmen and sophomores. Sophomore 5-9 setter Aaliyah Luna, junior 5-6 outside Sa\u2019Niya Bryant, sophomore 5-9 outside Mikaela Simon and sophomore 5-4 libero Andrea Zarza lead the way.<\/p>\n
Riviera Prep (15-13, 2A regional semifinalist) are aiming for a return to the playoffs led by senior setter\/libero Bailee Casas, senior setter Natalie Chaabouk, junior libero Tory Young and senior outside Sasha Prince.<\/p>\n
Florida Christian (21-5, 2A regional quarterfinalist) graduated star hitter Skye Williams, but brings back a strong group led by senior 5-6 outside Amelia Gomez, sophomore 5-7 setter Sophia Broche, senior 5-7 outside Isabella Sotolongo and senior 5-3 setter Camilla Perez.<\/p>\n
La Salle (14-12, 3A regional quarterfinalist) will be led by senior outside hitter Alexandra Gonzalez, sophomore middle Lucia Ornelle and senior defensive specialist Sophie Prado.<\/p>\n
Ransom Everglades (10-16) hopes a squad led by 5-10 sophomore outside Abigail Zichella, 5-8 sophomore setter Nalah Picchetti, 5-6 sophomore libero Lola Picchetti and 6-1 junior opposite Evangeline Steiner can lead the Raiders back to playoff contention.<\/p>\n
Carrollton (6-13) will be led by senior libero Isabella Whitby, senior outside Isabella Morris, junior middle Francesca Sperman, and senior middle Emilie Calixte.<\/p>\n
Miami Country Day (10-10) will be led by senior setter Madeline Sinnes, senior defensive specialist\/libero Sasha Blasky, freshman outside Kendall Fugate and senior opposite Isabella Lopez.<\/p>\n
Pinecrest North (11-3) continues to build its program and will be led by junior 5-8 outside Jazmine Pique, junior 5-3 setter Valentina Urbina and junior 5-11 middle Marianne Martin. Sophomore 5-7 outside Sofia Lynn Garcia is also one to watch.<\/p>\n
Krop (9-11) will be led by senior 5-5 libero Dylan Zuckerman, junior 5-3 defensive specialist\/outside hitter Ashly Naranjo and junior 5-5 right side Danaca Lebrun.<\/p>\n
Reagan (7-17) will be led by freshman outside hitter Mila Hellstrom, junior setter Ivanna Carrillo, senior libero Luciana Narvaez and junior defensive specialist Rosie Lulo.<\/p>\n