By Kyle Coppola
Jaeda Branham Leading Mount Dora High Volleyball To Strong Start
Mount Dora High School junior Jaeda Branham has been a huge addition to the Lady Hurricanes in 2024 and have helped the team to a stellar 7-2 start to the regular season. Branham, a dominant force at the net, has already racked up 34 kill shots, placing her at the top of the team’s offensive stats. Her powerful spikes and commanding presence have been pivotal in Mount Dora’s early success. Branham transferred from Lake Mary Prep where as a sophomore she led the team with 176 kill shots, 12 blocks and 53 aces.
(Branham along with Sydney Guthrie lead the Hurricanes in kill shots this season.)
While Branham’s performance has been outstanding, she isn’t the only player stepping up. Senior Sydney Guthrie is right behind her with 26 kill shots, adding balance and depth to the Hurricanes’ front line. The duo’s chemistry on the court has been key to the team’s offensive firepower. Both ladies have done a great job at commanding the floor and making the most of their chances.
(Guthrie picked up right where she left off last year and has come into her senior season looking better than ever.)
Branham also leads the team in aces, sharing the spotlight with senior setter Lillie Bruehl. Bruehl has been an essential part of the team’s success, not only with her serves but with her ability to set up the offense. With 60 assists this season, Bruehl has been the architect behind many of the team’s successful attacks, distributing the ball efficiently and ensuring the Hurricanes’ hitters are in the best positions to score.
Senior Blakely Kite has also been impressive. She leads the team with over 32 digs and 45 serves received. Libero is one of the most important positions on the volleyball team and Kite plays the position as good as anyone in Lake County.
(Branham stands next to Blakely Kite who leads the team in digging and serves received.)
Head coach Kevin Gifford has built a formidable squad, blending the talents of what he has to create a well-rounded and cohesive team. His leadership and ability to maximize his players’ strengths have set Mount Dora up for a promising season. Kevin Gifford coaches the game the right way and it’s always a pleasure to see what he brings to the table every year. Since taking over for Mary Pinkowski in 2019, Gifford has built the program back up to prominance. Last year was the first winning season and first trip to the FHSAA Playoffs in eight years for Mount Dora High.
With Branham and her teammates firing on all cylinders, the Hurricanes are poised to make another run at a potential district championship and FHSAA Playoffs. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how far this talented team can go.
Photo Credit – Julie Little with gritimaging
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
