LAKE WORTH BEACH – The send-off could not have been more perfect for Dr. Joaquín García girls volleyball coach Erica Green, filled with roses, tears, blasting music, photographs, hugs and yet another district championship trophy being held aloft.
The Joaquín García “three-peat” is official.
Green has guided García to its third straight district title in the program’s first three years. The host Bulldogs pummeled Atlantic 25-15, 25-9, 25-8 on Thursday, Oct. 16 in a District 14-5A finals match that lasted exactly an hour – not that much longer than all of the postgame festivities.
Green, who started coaching school volleyball in 1999, has decided to retire when the girls season ends. Next week, García will play in the regional quarterfinals but likely on the road.
During a surprise, rose petal-filled retirement ceremony, Green fought through a hoarse throat and wet eyes as she took a microphone to thank the players and fans. “It’s been a great ride,’’ Green rasped.
“I was very emotional – potentially the last match coaching in this gym,’’ Green said later after the earsplitting music stopped. “That was my thought. I wanted it to be a win and set up another banner.’’
After a post-match celebration, Garcia’s assistants dragged Green off the gym floor to a back room, telling her they needed a serious chat. It was a ruse to set up the on-court surprise. All of García’s players and fans lined up on the court, each holding a red rose.
“We just won a district championship – why are you pulling me away from the gym to talk about a serious issue,’’ said Green, who also had coached the boys volleyballers in spring. “Why are you ruining it for me? When I walked back out and saw a line, I still didn’t understand what was going on.’’
As Green walked through the lineup, each individual handed her a rose until Green’s arms were stuffed in red flowers. Then the DJ blared “We Are The Champions’’ and Green posed with various players for photos.
Four Bulldogs were on Green’s three district title teams – star senior libero Daniela Garrido, lefty kill specialist Alexis Manger, Sophia Concepcion and Brianna Babinksi.
“She’s not just a coach but knows her players on a personal level,’’ Garrido said. “That makes her such an amazing coach. She has a true friendship with the players. She changed my life in ways other than volleyball.’’
In 2023, Garcia’s first year as a high school, the girls volleyballers beat Suncoast in a five-set thriller for the first improbable district title. The school on Lyons Road wasn’t even permitted a senior class. Last season, Coconut Creek was Garcia’s district-final victim.
Three years, three titles.
Asked if she could have imagined forming a program and winning three titles in its first three years, Green said, “Not at all.’’
Green’s coaching career began in 1999 but she didn’t win her first district title until 2014 when Park Vista upset Boca Raton.
“That was a huge win for us.,’’ said Green, who has coached various middle schools and at Santaluces and Royal Palm Beach. “When I came here, I knew I’d be getting kids from all different middle schools, all different high schools. I had no idea what would be walking into the tryouts. All you want to do is make sure you’re competitive.’’
In one last stroke of coaching genius Thursday, Green sensed her team wasn’t ready at the outset against Atlantic. Though the Bulldogs fell behind only 6-4, she called a timeout that suddenly changed everything for the Carolina-blue-clad Bulldogs.
“We were looking ahead,’’ said Green, who grew up on Long Island. “In the district final, you have to focus at the game at hand. We were looking at next week. I had to call that timeout early. I could tell the mentality wasn’t where it needed to be for a district championship match.’’
Garcia rolled from there. The second and third sets were breezes as each stanza the Bulldogs stormed to an 8-0 lead behind sensational serving.
In the second set, the first eight points came off Anaiah Alysofi’s consistently challenging serve. In the third set, Garrido pounded eight straight line-drive serves for an 8-0 bulge.
“This is really super exciting,’’ Garrido said. “I didn’t know what to expect going into it (as a sophomore). But it was the best people I ever met, the most fun I’ve ever had on the court.’’
Green credited Garrido for a multitude of achievements. “Danny has been a rock for me all season long – a captain who gets the kids in check,’’ Green said. “She’s the leader on court and does what needs to be done. She will leave a big hole next year on the court.’’
So will Green’s departure, though she will remain as Garcia’s premier algebra teacher and will consult with the team. Assistant Junior Ortega takes the reigns, starting with the boys season.
Green said the full-time commitment to the volleyball teams started to wear on her. Green said she didn’t get home until 11 p.m. last week from a match and that solidified her decision.
“I told (Athletic Director) Pam (Romero), I’ll come over, I’ll start the program up for you,’’ said Green. “The program is now established.’’
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dr. Joaquín García volleyball celebrates veteran coach Erica Green
