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Doral Academy's Viruet, Somerset's Rebhan are Miami-Dade Softball Coaches of the Year
Doral Academy's Willie Viruet and Somerset Silver Palms' Gator Rebhan direct what have been the two most successful softball programs in Miami-Dade County in recent years.
But a state championship eluded both programs over the past three seasons.
In Rebhan's case, the Stallions had never hoisted a state championship trophy.
In Viruet's case, the Firebirds had in 2021, but had come heartbreakingly short more than once of recapturing that feeling again.
It all changed this season as both Doral Academy and Somerset Silver Palms overcame that final roadblock and were each state champions.
And so, Viruet and Rebhan are once again, the Miami Herald's Miami-Dade County Softball Coaches of the Year.
Viruet is the winner for Class 7A-4A after leading Doral to its second state title in school history.
The Firebirds have been regulars at the state final four under his watch, advancing to at least the state semifinals every season since 2019 - the longest active streak for any Dade team.
This season, Doral took things up a notch, however.
The Firebirds finished the season 31-1, ranked No. 3 in the nation and higher than any other Florida team.
Doral capped the season with a dramatic 5-4 comeback win in eight innings over Valrico Bloomingdale in the Class 6A state semifinals before beating Pace 1-0 in the final.
Miami Herald 7A-4A Pitcher of the Year Meagan Villazon, an FIU signee, was the main reason for the team's success in the pitching circle. Junior shortstop Anabela Abdullah, a Texas commit and the Herald's 7A-4A Player of the Year, and senior third baseman Sarah Breaux, the Herald's Player of the Year in 2024 and a Clemson signee, drove the Firebirds' offense.
For Somerset Silver Palms, the state championship was a brand new feeling.
And it was something Rebhan hadn't experienced for over two decades since leading Miami Palmetto to a pair of state titles in 2000 and 2003.
Rebhan left high school coaching for a few years while coaching at the collegiate level at FIU and later solely travel ball. But he returned to the high school scene and began building Silver Palms into a state powerhouse in 2021.
After two consecutive years reaching state, the Stallions finally secured that elusive first title with convincing wins over Dunedin and Eustis. Rebhan's daughter Taylor Rebhan, a junior shortstop and Louisville commit, and sophomore pitcher Ava Stevens, who are the Miami Herald's 3A-1A Player and Pitcher of the Year respectively, led the Stallions throughout the season.
