The Palm Harbor University volleyball team celebrated a record-setting season marked by significant achievements, including a long-awaited victory over rival East Lake and a Pinellas County Athletic Conference title. Coach Stephen Shepherd, now in his fourth year, believes the team's rebuild is complete after experiencing a major cultural shift and seeing individual milestones, such as his 300th career win and his daughter Skylar's 1,000 career assists. The Hurricanes finished the season with a 17-4 record, including two postseason losses against the dominant Plant team. This year's success has instilled confidence for future seasons, particularly with key players returning, despite losing top performer Sofia Castaneda. Shepherd emphasizes the potential for a championship run if the team faces different competition in the future.

By the Numbers
  • The Palm Harbor Hurricanes achieved a 17-4 overall record this season.
  • Coach Stephen Shepherd recorded his 300th career win, with 70 wins at Palm Harbor University.
State of Play
  • The team has experienced a complete culture shift, according to Coach Shepherd.
  • Future prospects look bright with key players, including the coach's daughter, returning for the next season.
What's Next

With the core players returning, including standout sophomore Skylar Shepherd, the team is poised for another strong season, potentially competing for titles in the next playoff run. Coach Shepherd is optimistic that with a favorable draw, the team could make it to the state final four.

Bottom Line

The Palm Harbor University volleyball team has successfully turned a corner, emerging as a competitive force and laying a strong foundation for future success. Their significant achievements this season offer a promising outlook for the next year.