This year, Riverview started a new sports team. Girls’ beach volleyball was introduced for the first time in school history.

The idea was proposed by Annie Howard, who is the head coach of the team, along with the coach, Jason Mocherman.

Beach volleyball is a popular club sport around the state and the decision to make it an official FHSAA sport has attracted a lot of excitement.

The team practices twice a week for multiple hours at a time at Bee Ridge Park. Although it is the team’s first year, they don’t make any excuses.

Junior Sam Reisky is a seasoned player who talks about rigor.

“We stay focused at practice and go 100 percent through everything, whether it’s drills, practice games or conditioning,” she said.

She is one of the most experienced players on the team and is determined to make sure that the Rams have a successful season.

The Rams have defeated multiple teams in their rookie season, including Braden River, Charlotte, East Lake and Tarpon Springs.

With these wins, the Rams have already qualified for states in just their first year of playing.

This is a very impressive feat, as many of the girls have not played this sport in this arena.

Bringing home a state title could add to the rich history of RHS athletics.

The state championship tournament will be held in Tavares this weekend.

Another integral part to the team is sophomore Madison Binkley, who has already committed to Florida State University on a beach volleyball scholarship. Her skills will play a big role in leading this team to a state championship.

Binkley will follow Ram Alex Hilton to FSU to join their high-level beach volleyball program.

“I just try to make my teammates better every day in practice, as well as myself,” Binkley said.

If the Rams can bring home a state championship trophy in only their first year participating in the sport, then they will go down as some of the greatest Rams of all time.