WINTER PARK, Fla. — At the Winter Park High School gym, Mason Barberree has won a lot of games in his years at the school.

The outside hitter loves the game but really enjoys spiking the ball for a kill. 

"I love a good bounce. Like, get up there as high as you can and you hit the ball straight down. It’s the best feeling ever," said Barberree. "It’s so aggressive and fast pace, and you really can’t get that out of any other sport."

Last year Barberree had the second-highest number of kills on the team, helping them win their second state championship in three years. Over the years, he has found his voice.

"When I started out, I was the quietest kid on the court, like a not a word came out of my mouth freshman year," he said. "But as I have progressed through the years, I have become more and more vocal, more of a vocal leader."

This year’s Wildcats team should be in the running for another state title. They return three players who were invited to USA’s national development training program, which feature some of the best high school players in the nation.

"This team is super talented," said Barberree. "We have guys who can do whatever we want, and we can pick people off the bench, and they could do just as good as the same roles on the court can."

Barberree and the team want to use the momentum of winning a state title last year to carry over into this season. 

"We are super excited," he said. "Coming off last year, we are still very hyped about that, and it’s going to carry forward and light a fire under us to be even better this year."

Barberree is happy with what he has accomplished so far at Winter Park, but isn’t satisfied with just two state titles.

"Job is not finished," he said. "We still have another one and we can’t look too far into the future. We have to play now."

The Wildcats open their 2025 season on March 4 against Windermere.