Middleburg Fl- It was a great run for Middleburg, but in the end their hopes of repeating as champions were busted by Beachside in the regional semifinals. The Barracudas bit the Broncos 3-1 to defeat them in three consecutive sets after falling behind early.
Middleburg came out swinging. They went up 1-0 after winning the first set 25-18. Olivia Callipo was instrumental in setting as Camden Rahn executed kills to perfection. Kate Lowery took some of the pressure off Brooke Forkum who led Middleburg all year in kills.
Beachside did a great job of countering the attack from Middleburg. Isabella Taveras led them in digs with 29. Avery Kliethermes was lights out with 7 digs and 7 aces. At every turn the Barracudas were one step ahead keeping Middleburg on defense.
The Barracudas won the regional semifinals 3-1 over Middleburg (18-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-22) Kills: Adriana Jeanpierre led with 19. Erica Duffy 16, Mollie VanDeusen had 13. Isabella Taveras had 4 aces and 29 digs, Kliethermes had 17digs, and Jeanpierre had 16 digs. In the assists category, VanDeusen led with 23, Duffy had 17.
Beachside will now face #1 Chiles who defeated Ponte Vedra 3-0 on Saturday. Beachside had Middleburg’s number this year. One of very few teams that could say that. They defeated them both times this year. Beachside was a team built to win, and that’s a compliment to Austin Lanteigne and his staff.
Middleburg ends their season 22-5 while Beachside advances with a 19-3 season. It’s unfortunate that both teams were in the same classification as two of the best teams in Northeast Florida were forced to eliminate each other instead of representing the area potentially in the Final 4 or state championship.
Still, it was a magnificent win by Beachside, as we cheer on the Barracudas to take it all the way.
Photo Gallery by Heather Isabell
