Somerset’s Rebhan, Reef’s Segal, Doral’s Viruet are Dade’s Softball Coaches of the Year
The softball teams at Somerset Silver Palms, Doral Academy and Coral Reef all appear primed to enjoy success for years to come.
That was evident this season as all three made deep runs into the postseason in their respective classes.
Somerset’s young program advanced to its first state final in Class 3A.
In Class 7A, Coral Reef pushed through to its first regional final since 2019.
And in Class 6A, Doral Academy overcame the loss of their ace to continue to dominate with its fourth trip to the state final four in five years.
As a result, Somerset Silver Palms’ Gator Rebhan, Doral Academy’s Willie Viruet and Coral Reef’s Zach Segal are the Miami Herald’s Miami-Dade Softball Coaches of the Year.
Rebhan, a veteran coach who won state titles at Miami Palmetto in 2000 and 2003, earned the honor for Classes 5A-2A while Segal and Viruet shared honors for Classes 7A-6A.
Rebhan has built the Stallions into a state powerhouse over the past couple of seasons. After advancing to the regional finals a year ago, Somerset broke through to state this season by knocking off previously unbeaten Coral Springs Charter in that same round.
The Stallions then won their first game at state before falling in the final to Clearwater Calvary Christian.
Although they graduate top pitcher Edan Playa, Somerset returns a strong core led by Miami Herald 5A-2A Player of the Year Ava Stevens as well as first team selections Leilani Gonzalez, Taylor Rebhan and Kate Champion.
Doral needed to find an answer in the pitching circle after graduating Louisville signee Alyssa Zabala. They found it in transfer Yessenia Lopez, the Herald’s 7A-6A Pitcher of the Year. Led by Lopez, and a lineup powered by 7A-6A Co-Player of the Year Sarah Breaux and siblings Anabela and Zoey Abdullah, the Firebirds remained among the state’s best with a 24-5-1 record and a berth in the 6A state semifinals.
In Class 7A, Coral Reef swung the balance of power back in its favor by beating Palmetto to claim both GMAC and district championships. The Barracudas went 22-7-1 and once they reached the playoffs, upset top-seeded Lake Worth Park Vista before falling to eventual state champion Boca Raton Spanish River in the regional finals.
It may only be the start for Coral Reef as well as it returns nearly its entire roster led by freshman pitchers Erin Zambrano and Quin Wylie and 7A-6A Co-Player of the Year Rachel Hawkins, a junior.
