Middleburg- Tuesday nights game versus Ponte Vedra and Middleburg not only served as a salute to our first responders and military families in honor of Patriots Day, but also served as a preview of two top 5A programs looking to build their resumes. The Ponte Vedra Lady Sharks came into Middleburg undefeated on the season.
Although the Lady Broncos record was below .500, they brought a winning tradition having won 14 district championships including one last year. Yet talent trumped tradition on this night as the Lady Sharks would prevail in the contest winning in straight sets.
Ponte Vedra freshman duo setter Jessica Shattles and middle hitter Zeta Washington started for the Lady Sharks, and made an impact on the game early, both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Washington with a solo block to put the Sharks up 2-1, and then with a great swing down the middle. The Lady Broncos fought back tying the game at three before sloppy communication on two straight short service aces that caused for Coach Prewitt to call a timeout down 10-4.
Both Shattles and senior setter Mone Gordon were trying to figure out what could set their team apart, setting quick hits up the middle to pushing the ball on the outside for long sets. Middleburg went on a run of their own on Ponte Vedra’s poor serve receive bringing the score to 16-11. Ponte Vedra senior Logan Mignerey showed her veteran wisdom late in this set by winning points for the Lady Sharks hitting balls off the block and slightly over the defenders. The Lady Sharks would win the set 25-15.
The second set started off similarly to the first, as Middleburg netted the first few points. And unlike in the previous set, they held the lead, working together as a team. After a service error by Ponte Vedra, the game was tied at five apiece. The rotation was in favor of Ponte Vedra. With Washington and Kendall Mignerey up in the front line, they were able to block hits and also attack the net earning Ponte Vedra easy kills. Middleburg called a timeout with Ponte Vedra up 13-7. Middleburg got better as each set went on, they did lose this set 25-17.
The third set went back and forth between the teams. This is the set where Middleburg hitters had some monster swings. Senior Brittany Range and juniors Jenna Sypiewski and Shelby McKinney hit most of their kills, totaling 15 on the night. The talent of Ponte Vedra, though varying at points in this set was too much for the Lady Broncos. This would be the highest number of points the Lady Broncos put on the board, but would eventually lose 25-18.
Ponte Vedra led both teams in kills with 18 for the match. Shattles led in assists with 17 followed behind senior setter Morgan Batchelder with 9. Kendall Mignerey and Washington led the Lady Sharks with blocks at 2 apiece. Logan Mignerey led the game with 8 digs for her team. The Middleburg Lady Broncos were led by Sypniewski in kills with 6, followed closely behind by senior Laney Miller and McKinney. Gordon led both teams in assists with 18. Range led the game with 3 blocks.
Ponte Vedra (5-0) travels down to Venice this weekend to play in the Battle of the Beach Tournament against some of the best teams the state has to offer.
Coach Mignerey is doing this to see how her young women match up along with helping their ranking with the new FHSAA ranking system. Middleburg (2-4) will take on Keystone Heights (2-1), Thursday, September 12th.
