Leaving a Legacy

BRADEN RIVER — Sydney Jaco knew it was her time to strike. 

As the volleyball sailed down over the net, the then 8-year-old ran up to the net and smacked the ball — much to her three older sisters’ disapproval. 

“What are you doing?” one sister shouted in dismay. 

“That’s not how you do it,” another one added while shaking her head in disbelief. 

It’s a scene that would replay itself over and over again, as Jaco and her sisters, Kaleigh, Brittany and Madison, developed their game in the backyard. 

It was a struggle at times for the youngest of the four Jaco sisters, who lacked the size, speed, athleticism and general knowledge of the game. 

But over time, through her sisters’ constant guidance coaching, Sydney Jaco developed a quiet confidence that has made the Braden River sophomore outside hitter a consistent force on the court. 

“They would always yell at me like I was their student,” Sydney Jaco says. “They coached me when I was younger. I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it wasn’t for their coaching back then.”

Sydney Jaco is the fourth and final member of the Jaco family to play volleyball for Braden River, which has not had a season without a Jaco sister on the roster. Kaleigh Jaco played from 2007 to 2010. Brittany Jaco played from 2008 to 2011, and Madison Jaco played from 2010 to 2013.

“They embody athletics at Braden River High School,” says coach Matt McElhiney, who has coached three of the four sisters. “It will be a sad day when there aren’t anymore Jacos coming through the program and the school. Not because of their performance, but more for their attitude, effort and because they are great people that have an impact on others.” 

Sydney Jaco started playing volleyball because Kaleigh Jaco loved the sport and wanted to play. Their parents bought them a net for the backyard, and from that point on, all four sisters were volleyball players. 

A year later, in 2007, Sydney Jaco stepped onto the volleyball court at Braden River for the first time — as a second-grader. Jaco spent her first season in maroon and white cheering on Kaleigh Jaco, who was a freshman at the time. 

Two years later, Brittany Jaco was named to the Lady Pirates varsity roster; and over the course of the 2009 season, Sydney Jaco watched Kaleigh Jaco and Brittany Jaco lead Braden River to the first of what would be two consecutive district championships and regional final berths.

In 2011, Kaleigh Jaco went on to play at Cape Breton University, in Canada, while Madison Jaco joined the Lady Pirates varsity squad alongside Brittany Jaco, who was a senior at the time. 

During her sisters’ time at Braden River, Sydney Jaco attended as many as of their games as possible, traveling from Tampa to Fort Myers to cheer them on. In addition to watching them play at Braden River, Sydney Jaco also attended all of their Coastline Volleyball Club games, where she still plays for Coastline’s 17 Rox team. 

“I remember one club game of Brittany’s during her senior year where I completely lost my voice from screaming,” Sydney Jaco says. “I loved it so much.” 

Sydney Jaco made her high school volleyball debut last season as a freshman when she was named Braden River’s starting libero because of her defense and passing — a trait she picked up from Brittany Jaco. 

“One thing you know about Sydney is that she gives you everything every time in practice or in a game,” McElhiney says. 

“I have coached other players in the past who have put effort in, but it wasn’t a big deal either way if they won or lost,” he adds. “Sydney always plays to win and she will never give up — definitely a Jaco trait. I can’t say enough about her and her sisters, and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to coach three of the four sisters.” 

On the court, Sydney Jaco tends to be more like Brittany Jaco, who now plays for Barry University, both in terms of her style of play and the way she carries herself, as the two sisters are built much the same way. 

In preparation for her sophomore season, Sydney Jaco spent every Thursday on the beach playing volleyball with her sisters. It was the first time all four sisters had been on the court together in several years. 

“It was fun to have them come back,” Sydney Jaco says. “They are still so good. It was just exciting.” 

Sydney Jaco is reminded of her sisters’ legacy every time she steps onto the court. A district championship banner hangs on the wall as a reminder of what her sisters accomplished and coaches and faculty continually ask her about her sisters. But for Sydney Jaco, the volleyball court is where she feels at home. 

“It’s the thrill of the game,” Jaco says. “That feeling you get when you make a good pass or get a hit. I just love the game.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].