The high school sports calendar is beginning to fill up across Polk County, and Thursday night offers volleyball fans several opportunities to follow teams from around the county.
While football may command much of the attention as the fall sports season gets underway, girls volleyball is already giving Polk County sports fans plenty to follow.
For Ridge Sports Network, Thursday’s schedule also provides an opportunity to begin something we hope becomes routine throughout the season: giving volleyball players, programs, parents and fans a place to find out what’s happening around the county.
Here are some of the varsity matches involving Polk County teams that we were able to verify for Thursday, Aug. 20.
Lake Wales at McKeel Academy
Lake Wales heads to Lakeland Thursday evening to face McKeel Academy of Technology.
The varsity match is scheduled for approximately 7:30 p.m., following the junior varsity match scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
McKeel has already faced a significant early-season test, hosting Montverde Academy on Tuesday. Lake Wales will continue its schedule Monday when it hosts Sebring before welcoming George Jenkins to Lake Wales on Wednesday.
George Jenkins at Osceola
George Jenkins travels outside Polk County Thursday for a matchup against Osceola High School in Kissimmee.
The varsity match is scheduled for 7 p.m., with junior varsity scheduled for 6 p.m.
The Eagles opened their schedule last week against Lakeland and will return home Tuesday for another challenging matchup when Plant comes to Lakeland.
All Saints’ Academy at Winter Haven
Another all-Polk County matchup takes place in Winter Haven tonight as All Saints’ Academy visits Winter Haven High School. The varsity match is scheduled for 7 p.m., following the JV match at 5:30 p.m.
All Saints enters the new season after finishing 17-10 last year. Winter Haven is led by Dylan Sechrest, who was recognized as The Ledger’s Polk County girls indoor volleyball Coach of the Year following last season. The matchup gives local volleyball fans an early look at two Winter Haven-area programs as the 2026 season gets underway.
Polk County Volleyball Season Gets Underway
Thursday is only one night in what will quickly become a busy volleyball schedule across Polk County.
Programs from Lake Wales, Winter Haven, Bartow, Auburndale, Davenport, Lakeland, George Jenkins, McKeel, Lake Region, Lakeland Christian, Victory Christian and other schools across the county will be competing throughout the fall.
Lakeland Christian, for example, is preparing for the SSAC Tournament Friday and Saturday at the AdventHealth Field House.
The season ultimately has a distinctly Polk County destination as well. The 2026 Florida High School Girls Volleyball State Championships are scheduled to be played at the Polk State College Winter Haven Health Center in November.
Ridge Sports Network plans to continue following volleyball throughout the season, including schedules, results and stories from teams and athletes around Polk County.
Coaches, parents and players who have schedules, results, statistics, photos or information about their teams are encouraged to send them to Ridge Sports Network facebook page or Daily Ridge as we work to expand our coverage of high school athletics throughout Polk County.
