Middleburg Fl- Congratulations to the Middleburg volleyball program for returning to the Class 5A FHSAA state tournament, defeating Ridgeview 25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 25-23 on Wednesday evening. Middleburg clinches their spot in the final four. The match will be played in Winter Haven next Wednesday against Merritt Island (23-6) at 1pm.
The game was a spirited rivalry of neighboring schools for the chance to head to Winter Haven. Ridgeview (20-8) came into the game led by head coach Stephen Henry. Ridgeview was led on the court by Haley Robinson with 229 kills and 117 blocks on the season. In the third set, Robinson started off with several points, and began to take over the game bringing her team back down 2 games.
Robinson along with Sydney Little who leads the team with 472 digs led the emotional charge to get the Ridgeview back into the sets. Mariah Bostic-Jones and Brianna Adams who both have 40 aces on the season, were also instrumental in keeping the Panthers in the contest. Adams in particular started the first contest with several points as Middleburg took an early 3-0 score lead in the game. Brooke Cameron finished it to for a win in the third set giving Ridgeview a win, as they still trailed 2 games to 1 to Middleburg.
In the end, Middleburg was just too much on the evening as they’ve been all season. They began with two strong first games by Brooke Forkum and Katie Cole who scored points to start off. Forkum has been one of the team leaders in kills and aces all year.
Ally Lowery leads the team with 42 blocks, and she displayed that against Ridgeview again with a big block in the second set. Her effort along with crucial points from Camden Rahn helped lead Middleburg to a 2-0 game lead.
The fourth and eventual final game saw Connor Rahn lead her team as she has done all year. She’s led the team with 368 kills, 58 aces and incredibly 260 digs. She came up wit ha crucial block, and kill to give Middleburg a 24-23 lead. Morgan Padgett, who leads the team in digs with 284, would get the deciding point of the match for Middleburg. Celebration ensued as the Broncos defeated rival Ridgeview 3-1 in the regional finals.
The team is led on the sidelines by head coach Meredith Forkum, who in just her first year has led the team to a 25-5 record and to the Final 4. Middleburg advanced to the playoffs last year, falling to Ocala Vanguard in the Regional Quarterfinals.
Taking over for prominent volleyball coach Carrie Prewitt, this year Forkum as brought her experience as a former Middleburg volleyball player, and local volleyball club ball coach to the program, and it’s benefited greatly. Now, as one of the best volleyball teams in the state, she and her Broncos will have a chance to take on the best in the state for the chance to bring a title back to Northeast Florida.
