First Baptist Academy Qualified for FHSAA Open Division

The volleyball team enters the state tournament following a dominant regular season and a fourteen-game winning streak.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Volleyball

Dynamic volleyball player spiking a ball in an energetic editorial illustration, capturing the intensity of the sport. — First Baptist Academy has qualified for the FHSAA Open Division state volleyball tournament following a dominant 23-2 regular season. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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First Baptist Academy has secured a spot in the Florida High School Athletic Association's newly established eight-team Open Division. The team achieved this qualification after finishing their regular season with a 23-2 record and a 14-game winning streak.

Why it matters

The FHSAA implemented the Open Division this year to concentrate the top-ranked volleyball talent in the state into a single competitive bracket. This new format ensures that the highest-performing schools, including Naples-based First Baptist Academy, face each other in a rigorous round-robin tournament structure.

First Baptist Academy holds a 23-2 regular season record and a seventh-place ranking in the state. The team carries a 14-game winning streak into the new Open Division, which features eight teams split into two pools of four.

The players

First Baptist Academy

This Southwest Florida school fields a competitive volleyball program that is currently ranked seventh in the state.

Florida High School Athletic Association

The governing body responsible for organizing high school sports championships and setting tournament structures across Florida.

The details

The FHSAA board of directors approved the eight-team Open Division structure on June 9, 2026, to elevate competitive standards. First Baptist Academy solidified its standing by navigating a challenging regular season that included a victory over Merritt Island and a loss to Calvary Christian.

June 9, 2026: The FHSAA board approved the eight-team Open Division format.
August 2026: First Baptist Academy competed against Merritt Island and Calvary Christian.
October 7, 2026: First Baptist Academy reached its seventh-place state ranking.
October 12-16, 2026: Florida high school district tournaments will take place.

Season Trajectory

The introduction of the FHSAA eight-team Open Division marks a significant shift in the state's competitive landscape, moving away from traditional bracket play. This format changes the path to a state title by forcing top-tier teams to navigate a group stage before reaching the final rounds.

First Baptist Academy's qualification confirms their status as a top-eight seed for the upcoming state tournament. Success in the round-robin pool play will be essential for the team to advance past the newly created Open Division threshold.

The takeaway

The addition of an Open Division creates a higher standard of play by ensuring top-ranked teams face one another before the final elimination rounds. Teams entering this bracket must maintain consistent performance through both district play and the new pool-based tournament structure.