Merritt Island Mustangs Volleyball Team Advances to State Championship, Defeats South Walton 3-1 at Polk State College

state championship set for Saturday at 4 p.m.

POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Merritt Island High School Lady Mustangs are heading to the Class 4A State Championship after defeating South Walton 3-1 on Friday at Polk State College, and are now on a 23-game winning streak!

Set scores were 25-22, 19-25, 25-23, and 25-20, as the Mustangs showed poise and resilience to close out the match and secure their spot in the Class 4A title game.

With the victory, Merritt Island continues its remarkable postseason run, adding another milestone to a season that already includes Cape Coast Conference, District, and Regional championships.

The Mustangs will now face either North Broward Prep or Lemon Bay in the State Championship on Saturday at 4 p.m., again at Polk State College.

The Mustangs’ dominant season continues a long tradition of excellence under head coach Angie Patrick, who earlier this year celebrated her 500th career win — a milestone more than two decades in the making.

Patrick, who has led Merritt Island’s volleyball program for 23 seasons, has built one of Florida’s most respected dynasties. Under her leadership, the Mustangs have compiled a 500–133 record, captured 17 Cape Coast Conference championships, 20 consecutive district titles, and made eight Final Four appearances, including state championships in 2011 and 2018 and three runner-up finishes in 2012, 2014, and 2021.

Patrick’s influence extends well beyond the court. A 2014 inductee into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame, she’s known for mentoring generations of student-athletes, emphasizing teamwork, character, and resilience.

“Our volleyball program is unlike any other,” Patrick said. “We are a family bonded together by our love for the sport. Merritt Island Volleyball has many accomplishments because of hard work, dedication, respect, and love for the game.”

The Mustangs’ current success — reflected in their 22 straight victories — is a testament to that culture. Patrick said the team’s collective mindset has been central to this year’s run.

“This group comes to compete every single day,” she said. “They’ve stayed focused on improving, trusting one another, and keeping a winning attitude no matter the situation.”

Patrick’s story is one of passion and perseverance. Originally from Wisconsin, she traded basketball for volleyball, leading her high school to a state championship before playing collegiately at Florida Tech, where she earned recognition as Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Now a marine science and biology teacher at Merritt Island High, Patrick balances her academic and coaching roles — inspiring students both in the classroom and on the court.

As the Mustangs prepare to take the floor in Winter Haven, they carry not only a winning streak but also the weight of a proud legacy built over more than two decades.

For Patrick, another state title would be yet another chapter in a remarkable career that has shaped the face of Merritt Island volleyball and the now multi-generational young women she has inspired.

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