Given the number of overall matches played and the caliber of schedule faced compared to other schools in the field, top-seeded Cornerstone Christian TX was a clear-cut favorite to capture the Nike TOC Southeast title over the weekend at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex in Wesley Chapel. However, the Warriors not only needed to navigate through this year’s 32-team National Division, they also had to deal with recent history after entering last year’s event in the same position and winding up in second place with an upset loss to Westminster Christian FL in the championship match. It ended up being Cornerstone’s only loss on the season and prevented Cornerstone from ending undefeated.

There was no underlying plot of a perfect season though this go around as Cornerstone looked to earn redemption of sorts. The Warriors already had suffered their first loss of 2023 when they finished runner up to Mira Costa CA at the Ann Kang Invitational last month in Honolulu.

It was looking like Cornerstone wouldn’t even get that far Saturday and miss out on playing for another title after dropping the opening set against upstart Winter Park FL in the semifinals of the National Platinum bracket. However, it served to be a wake-up call as Cornerstone came alive and rallied for the three-set victory, 17-25, 25-20, 15-7. After that, the Warriors closed their weekend with a dominant victory over surprise Carrollwood Day FL in the final, sweeping, 25-16, 25-17. It was Carrollwood’s first loss on the young season as the Patriots dropped to 6-1. Cornerstone improved to 18-1 and has six matches on its schedule before traveling to Las Vegas in two weeks for the Durango Fall Classic.

Cornerstone opened its title run by earning a tight sweep over Berkeley Prep FL, 25-23, 28-26, to start pool play Friday afternoon. Cornerstone followed with straight-set victories over Pace Academy GA and Saint Andrews FL. Cornerstone made it through Saturday’s quarterfinals by handling Bishop Gorman NV, 25-13, 25-16, before running into a streaking Winter Park squad.

Winter Park scored a key victory in its pool opener Friday morning by edging Keller TX in three, 8-25, 25-23, 15-11, that propelled Winter Park to a 3-0 day and a spot in the quarters. There, Winter Park swept Oviedo FL, 25-19, 25-15, before falling to Cornerstone. Winter Park finished in fourth place after going down against Viera FL, 25-22, 25-22, in the third-place match.

Viera, boosted by the addition of transfer Izzy Starck (Penn State) from Colorado, lost its season-opener in straight sets to Osceola FL the week prior but had a strong showing over the weekend by beating Westminster Christian to win its pool Friday and then taking out Venice FL in the quarterfinals. Viera lost to Carrollwood Day in three in the semis, 25-20, 22-25, 15-5.

Meanwhile, Carrollwood Day, led by stud freshman Lydia Chinchar, had a great opening day in sweeping Skutt Catholic NE, King’s Academy FL and Tampa Prep FL to win its pool. Carrollwood then rolled past Hagerty FL in the quarters, 25-13, 25-19.

In the Premier Platinum bracket, it was Ransom Everglades FL sweeping Olympia FL, 26-24, 25-21, to finish on top in that division. Gulliver Prep FL took third while Lourdes Academy FL finished in fourth. Ransom Everglades was originally placed in the Elite Division but was moved up to the Premier Division when a handful of teams withdrew from the tournament because of weather-related issues.

As for the Elite Platinum bracket, Lakewood Ranch FL beat Davenport FL, 25-13, 25-21, in straight sets.