JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The reigning 5A state champions, Ponte Vedra Sharks (24-0) were tested at home by the Ridgeview Panthers (14-10) on Wednesday night. But the Sharks came out on top beating the Panthers in three straight sets: 25-14, 25-19, 27-25.
The Sharks came out hot in set 1 getting a 6-2 lead early on. Ridgeview gained a little bit of momentum from an ace by sophomore Defensive Specialist Kasey Casiple. But it wasn’t enough as the Sharks won set 1, 25-14.
In set 2, the Panthers started off strong finding themselves up 6-3. But Ponte Vedra came back fighting. The Sharks got a powerful kill from junior Right Side Kendall Mignerey. This brought the Sharks within 1 of the Panthers who were now up 9-8.
The Sharks eventually tied the score at 14 and moved on to take the lead and never relinquished it. The Sharks eventually won set 2, 25-19, with a kill from freshman Middle Blocker Chelsea Sutton.
The determination the Sharks saw from the Panthers in set 2 carried over into set 3. Ridgeview found themselves up early on, 5-1 after multiple hustle plays. Later on in the set, the Panthers extended their lead making the score 16-9.
But the Sharks came together as a team and dug deep to tie the score at 22 and then again at 25. The Sharks would end up winning 27-25 behind 5 aces from sophomore Setter Jessica Shattles and junior Outside Hitter Rachel Johnson.
Along with Johnson’s 5 aces she notched a double double with 11 kills and 14 digs. Amy Burkhardt, senior Outside Hitter also lead with 11 kills and 5 blocks. While Shattles lead in assists with 35.
Ponte Vedra now awaits the results of the Gulf Breeze and Wakulla match up. It was postponed due to a Hurricane Zeta threat. The winner of that game is who the Sharks will face Saturday afternoon in the regional final game.
