St. Johns FL- Oviedo came into this regional playoff match with a 16-11 record, and coming off a loss to Lyman. Bartram Trail came into the game with a 19-8 record and on a 3 game winning streak.
Bartram served first in the opening set and got out to an early lead, taking a commanding 15-9 score which forced Oviedo to take a timeout. Senior outside hitter Sammy Sicoli punctuated a 20-10 score by overpowering Oviedo with a monster kill. Oviedo was forced to call their second timeout of the night. Oviedo senior outside hitter Simone Jackson started to swing hard and put Oviedo back into the game. Oviedo was able to make quite a comeback, coming within three points before Bartram called another timeout. Bartram won the first set 25-22 on a setting error.
Oviedo would build off of their momentum from the first set. Oviedo’s defense turned up in the second set, hustling after every ball and letting few hit the ground. Bartram was forced to call down 12-8. Sophomore Raven Wrobleski scored a great kill before Bartram called another timeout leading 23-18. Oviedo won the second set 25-19. Bartram looked to have no answer for Oviedo in the second set, they were now tied at one set a piece.
The third set was lopsided in favor of Oviedo. Oviedo made a statement early in the set, letting Bartram know they were not going down without a fight, leading as big as nine points at one point in the set. Oviedo seemed to have figured out how to dominate Bartram and looked to win the set easily Bartram made a comeback, but fell short in their effort 25-19.
Bartram Trail head coach made a noticeable change in the lineup, switching out senior Libero Gaby Taveras to sophomore Isabella Velez. Velez came in and made a noticeable change in the defense. Bartram was down early in the set but clawed back as every point was a hustle point for the Lady Bears.
This set went back and forth, Oviedo had the advantage as they had the lead the majority of the game but Bartram never let the lead hit more than one point. Bartram took the lead late in the set with their defensive effort. The Lady Bears would go on to win the 4th set 26-24.
Going into the 5th set, Bartram had the momentum and the experience on their side. Oviedo hadn’t been to a five set match the entire season. Bartram experienced a loss in their five set match against Fletcher. The 5th set started similarly to how the 4th set did, Oviedo took a lead early, however Bartram came back with defense.
Ovideo went up 10-6, as Bartram was forced to call a timeout. Four straight service points puts Oviedo within one point of winning the game. Bartram on the edge of defeat would not go down without a fight and added four more points off of hustle before Oviedo scoreed the final kill.
Oviedo (17-11) will travel to play Hagerty (22-6) on the 29th at 7pm. 5th seeded Oviedo has split the season with 1st seeded Hagerty, both teams winning on their home court in straight sets. Bartram will end their season with a 19-9 record sending seniors Taveras and Sicoli off with a regional quarterfinals appearance.
