Several local teams won their districts advancing to the 2024 FHSAA Volleyball playoffs. There also were several teams that won a bid to the playoffs, and made the most of their opportunity. Check out the results from the first round of the playoffs below, and don’t forget to keep checking for playoff recaps on DuvalSports.com.
Class 4A Playoffs
#8 Baker County v #1 South Walton
Baker County made our Top 25 Mid-Season Power Rankings back in September and proved us right by advancing to the playoffs. Led by Sadye Harvey 104 kills, 22 aces, Baleigh Shields 47 blocks, Ava Marlow 317 digs, and Georgia Crews 227 assists they achieved a 11-9 record and were runners up in district 4A-4. The Wildcats would fall to South Walton 3-0 in the playoffs.
#4 West Florida v #5 Yulee
The Yulee Hornets are moving on after a 3-0 over West Florida. Kaveri Harris 21 kills, and 17 digs. Ella Currie 10 digs, and 33 assists, Marie Hillman 4 aces, and 20 digs all contributed to the success of the team. Like all year, it was a total team effort for the Class 4A-3 District Champions. Next they will face #1 seeded South Walton 10/26/24.
#2 Bishop Kenny v #7 Suwannee
The Crusaders defeated the Suwannee Bulldogs 3-0 in the first round of the playoffs. Suwannee finished their season 16-8 and one of the best teams in North Florida. Jordyn Chandler finished with 244 kills, 71 aces. Ana Pino led the team with 45 blocks. Avery Music had 342 assists.
Crusaders take the first set 25-10 over Suwannee. BK 1 Suwannee 0. #KennyPride pic.twitter.com/FZJlsjWSzo
— Bishop Kenny Athletics (@BKHS_Athletics) October 23, 2024
Bishop Kenny’s Olivia Ryno lead the team with 12 kills against Suwannee. Julie Meehan led in blocks (4), Caroline Snyder had 20 assists, and Alexis Sowers led in digs (12). The Crusaders improved to 21-6 and have won 4-straight games on their way to the Class 4A-4 district championship. Kenny will take on #3 Pensacola on 10/26/24.
Class 5A Playoffs
#4 Ponte Vedra v #5 Mosely
The 15-5 Ponte Vedra Sharks were the Class 5A-4 runners up and earned the #4 seed after a successful regular season. The Sharks continued their winning ways in the post season defeating Mosely. Leah Grall had16 kills, Avery Webb had 19 digs, Haydin Froehlich with 25 assists, Lily Keeley had 4 blocks. Players like Avery Meide, Paige and Ryan Murphy contributed mightily as well with great efforts in the game. Ponte Verdra faces #1 Chiles on 10/26/24.
#2 Middleburg v #7 Leon
The defending state champion Middleburg Broncos defended their championship successfully in round 1 defeating Leon 3-0. Middleburg is 22-4 on season. Several players came back like Brooke Forkum (333 kills), Camden Rahn (289), Olivia Callipo (677 assists), Kate Lowery (29 blocks), Ally Lowery (123 kills), and Morgan Padgett (45 aces), Maysie Bader(45 blocks) to help the Broncos secure another district championship this season. Middleburg moves on to face Beachside.
#3 Beachside v #6 Fleming Island
Molly Van Deusen has 15 assists in the game. Isabella Taveras had 11 digs, Erica Duffy had 5 aces, and Adriana Jeanpierre has 16 kills to lead Beachside’s multi-faceted attack over Fleming Island in the first round of the playoffs. The Barracudas are one of the surprise teams that will sneak up on you and beat you. Just ask Ponte Vedra, they defeated them in the district championship.
It was a great season for Fleming Island making it to the playoffs as district runners up. Lillie Eason led the team with 7 kills. Kaylee Kirkland had 4 kills, and 7 digs versus Beachside. Lauren Brosky had 4 blocks. , Hazel Williams (9 assists), and Bailey Montgomery (19 receptions) all lead the team. Williams achieved her 1000th assist of her career this year, in a memorable year for the Golden Eagles.
Beachside now faces Middleburg in an epic battle. Beachside already defeated them this year 3-0.
