Bulls sweep Manatee and climb above .500

Parrish Community left the five-set drama out of this one.

The Bulls swept Manatee 25–16, 25–13, 25–13 at home Tuesday, September 8, moving to 6–5 and giving themselves a winning record ahead of Thursday’s visit from North Port. Manatee did not reach 17 points in any set.

After five-set losses to Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota earlier in the season, Parrish finished this one with room to spare. The Bulls won the opening set by nine points and each of the next two by 12.[1][2]

The win followed a busy September 4–5 tournament in which Parrish took three of five matches. The Bulls swept Sarasota Christian, DeSoto County and Saint Stephen’s Episcopal, dropping matches to Indian Rocks Christian and Bradenton Christian.

Add Tuesday’s sweep, and Parrish has won four of its past six matches without dropping a set in any of those victories. That is a welcome turn after the back-to-back five-set defeats.[3][2][1]

Senior Khyler Reed is one of the names to know. In a September 8 story for the school’s Bulletin, Giosiana Carleton reported that Reed has verbally committed to play Division I volleyball at Western Carolina University.

In the available season statistics on MaxPreps, Reed leads Parrish with 2.5 kills per set and 18 service aces. Senior libero Alexis Gallagher averages 4.3 digs per set, while senior Alysa Jones has 10 blocks.

Coach Danielle Stevenson put her approach plainly in Carleton’s school report: “Success comes from consistent preparation, attention to detail, and viewing mistakes as learning opportunities rather than setbacks.”

There is another streak this program is trying to extend, too. The school reports academic state championships in fall 2024 and 2025. Stevenson’s players are chasing a third while trying to put some distance between themselves and a .500 record.[3][2][1]

North Port comes to Parrish Community High on Thursday, September 10, at 7 p.m. The game is at 7505 Fort Hamer Road; ticket information is on the school’s GoFan page.[2][3]