Jacksonville Fl- The District 5A-2 championship would feature two teams very familiar with each other. Ridgeview (13-9) came into the contest as defending district champions, while Orange Park (7-12) looked to pull a stunning upset. Ironically, these Clay county rivals would square off in Duval County at Stanton High School, for the right to hoist the district trophy.
Ridgeview would strike first as #8 Zoe Whaley connected with the ball for vicious spike. She was set up perfectly by #6 Abigail Tennant as Ridgeview built a 14-3 lead.
Orange Park would claw their way back into the contest thanks to gritty play by Kalli Winder. Winder’s point off a serve sparked a comeback that saw the Raiders tie Ridge view 22-22 in the first set.
Yet Ridgeview would gather themselves and pull away as their height and size was too much. #14 London Francis would score on a devastating kill, one of several in the game by the junior Middle Blocker. But it would be Whaley to will her team to win the first set.
The second set saw Orange Park come out more aggressive and it showed. #7 Roxi Palli would score on a kill. She’d finish with a team high 9 in the game.
Yet set two saw Ridgeview really wear down Orange Park. Elaina Reynolds would score consecutive points to increase her teams lead to 23-13. Tennant would put the finishing touches on set two with a block for the win 25-13.
The third and final set saw Ridgeview command the match. The main reason for their dominance came in the form of freshman Haley Robinson. The tall and rangy Robinson blocked scoring attempts from Orange Park. Her youthful play galvanized her team as a devastating kill in the third set paved the way for the victory.
Coach Destiny Brightman is looking toward state with this team, yet she knows she must keep her team focused. ” I want to break monotonous of our far we have gone, so I’m looking to take these young ladies to state”.
Ridgeview faces Seabreeze (5-10) net Wednesday in the Class 5A State playoffs. Orange Park will face 22-0 Ponte Vedra.
