After being pursued by Dr. Michael Krop High School’s former girls volleyball coach Caron Schiffman for several months, then sophomore Stephanie Harris gave in and decided to give volleyball a try.
“It was love at first hit. I knew immediately that I’d found my sport,” she said.
Stephanie, daughter of South Florida Times associate editor Renee Harris, tried out for the junior varsity team at Krop. She played on the JV and varsity squads during her sophomore year and varsity during her junior and senior years.
Her volleyball stint at Krop culminated in her being named the division 6A/5A Girls Volleyball Player of the Year at the Miami Herald’s 2011 All-Dade Banquet.
The annual event, held on May 27 at Jungle Island, recognizes stellar athletes in several sports categories at high schools in Miami-Dade County.
“I really wasn’t expecting this but I’m really proud to receive it,” said Stephanie, who has signed with Polk State College in Winter Haven.
The 6’0 middle hitter had 205 kills, 50 blocks, 84 aces and 30 digs in a season that resulted in Krop’s first-ever advance to the state championship tournament in November. The Lightning were defeated by the Orlando Boone team.
To enhance her skills during the high school off season, Stephanie also played volleyball for the South Florida Volleyball Club and Miami Elite Club programs.
Besides the Player of the Year honor, Stephanie was named to the Miami Herald’s All Dade First Team, was selected as a player of the week during the volleyball season and was named to the inaugural GMAC Senior All Stars Team.
Krop’s head volleyball coach Julie Priester was named Coach of the Year.
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