Playing what could have been her last high school volleyball match, Maysie Bader had just watched a first-set lead slip away — and she determined that wasn't about to happen again.
"I think we just decided that we needed more energy than them," Middleburg's senior middle blocker said.
Finding that energy time after time, Middleburg started each of the remaining sets fast and didn't let up to oust No. 1 seed Ponte Vedra 24-26, 25-18, 25-16, 25-20 in the Florida High School Athletic Association Region 1-5A semifinal on Oct. 24.
Middleburg coach Meredith Forkum said that Bader played her best match of the season in a dynamic combination with fellow senior Allie Anschuetz at setter.
"They came in really excited about today and hungry," Forkum said. "Both of our seniors really stepped up."
After Ponte Vedra (18-5) erased a 16-9 deficit to win the first set, with Vivienne Woodbury winning a 20-22 point that stretched nearly a minute and Khloe Murray notching the decider, Middleburg jumped out to leads of 11-3 and 12-2 in the next two sets. Libero Reese Forkum excelled on the defensive end and 6-4 Abbie Grybb stood tall to disrupt many of the Sharks' attempts down the middle.
Middleburg (18-11), three years removed from Northeast Florida's most recent indoor volleyball title, travels to Niceville on Sept. 28.
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OPEN DIVISION
No. 2 seed Tampa Plant (17-4) came from behind to defeat Beachside in round-robin Pool B play in the inaugural Open Division, 25-21, 23-25, 25-27, 25-21, 16-14.
The Barracudas (25-4), who defeated Clearwater Calvary Christian on Oct. 21, will play at home on Oct. 28 against Naples First Baptist with a chance to qualify for the FHSAA final four in Winter Haven.
REGION 1-4A
Top seed Fleming Island ended one of the great streaks in Jacksonville high school sports, sweeping Bishop Kenny 25-22, 25-14, 25-14 to end the Crusaders' 21-year run of qualifying for FHSAA regional finals.
Bishop Kenny (14-16) had not a regional playoff prior to the final eight since a 25-22, 25-21, 29-31, 22-25, 15-12 loss to Nease on Nov. 2, 2004.
Junior Lillie Eason bashed 20 kills for Fleming Island (24-3), while Moe'ono'ono Aseta had 16 assists and Addison Blom recorded 23 digs. The Golden Eagles play Oct. 28 against Panama City Beach Arnold.
REGION 1-3A
No. 1 seed Pensacola Catholic (25-4) swept 25-15, 25-21, 25-21 past visiting Wolfson. The Wolfpack, Gateway Conference champions, end at 20-7.
REGION 1-2A
Presbyterian commit Thayna Da Rosa whacked 20 kills to lead Orlando First Academy (20-7), which eliminated Trinity Christian 25-18, 27-25, 25-19. Trinity closes its year at 23-7.
REGION 1-1A
Christ's Church (21-7) continued its quest for a second state championship, winning an all-local contest 25-22, 25-23, 25-21 against St. Johns Country Day. The Spartans' year ends at 12-8.
The Eagles will next play at home Oct. 27 against Beaches Chapel (20-5), which won 25-20, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-7 against Covenant School (17-9). The winner of Tuesday's match qualifies for the final four in Winter Haven.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Middleburg High School volleyball stays on track in FHSAA playoffs
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