Just three area teams remain in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state volleyball playoffs, and they all play tonight in a region final for a spot in Monday’s final four.
Branford (25-3), which lost in last year’s FHSAA Class 1A state championship game to Baker, is the favorite to win it all in the Rural classification.
The Bucs, who are the top seed in Rural-Region 3, started the season 2-3 but have reeled off 23 consecutive victories, including a 3-1 win against No. 4 seed Aucilla Christian (Monticello) this past Saturday in the regional semifinals.
Senior Madison Ward leads the team with 206 kills, but they have five players who have 120 or more on the season. She also leads the team with 38 blocks.
Senior Erika Rioux (333 digs) and senior Andi Sabourin (678 assists) are key contributors for Branford, which has not lost since a 2-0 loss at Class 2A Oak Hall on Aug. 24.
Their opponent tonight is No. 3 seed Union County (Lake Butler), which upset No. 2 seed Lafayette (Mayo) on the road, 3-1, in Saturday’s regional semifinals.
Union County also defeated the Hornets (16-5) in five sets in the Rural-District 6 semifinals.
“We worked on exploiting their defense and putting the ball where they were not with tips and roll shots in addition to swings,” said Union County coach Tifani Knox. “We stayed consistent during the match which made a big difference. We also served very well with minimal misses.”
The Tigers (17-9) are led by junior Jailyn Simmons, who has 310 kills this season, along with a team-leading 95 blocks and 57 aces. Junior Bella Johns has 386 digs and senior Kamryn Southerland has 337 assists.
Union County has been playing its best ball at the end of the season, winning seven of its last nine games with the only two losses coming to Branford.
“We have been focusing on mental toughness all year and it has paid off,” Knox said. “Our team is trusting each other and playing smart. Our hitters have been more consistent, which has given us confidence as a team. Everyone is doing their job, which is what it will take for us to upset Branford and advance.”
The Bucs had to work to win the district championship game against the Tigers as two of the games were by identical scores of 25-23.
“We made too many unforced errors last time we played them,” Knox said. “We have to keep the ball in play and let them make the mistake. Branford plays good defense and spreads the ball to all of their hitters well. Our setters and hitters have to be smart with the ball and keep the blockers moving. We also have to serve receive well which gives us the opportunity to run our offense first.”
In the Region 4 Final, No. 2 seed Williston travels to top seed Moore Haven.
The Red Devils (6-11) were the top seed in the Rural District 7 tournament but got upset by Chiefland in the district semifinals. The No. 4 seed Indians also upset No. 2 seed Trenton in the championship game.
Williston was able to bounce back with a 3-1 win at home this past Saturday to No. 3 seed Trenton in the regional semifinals.
“We were given a second opportunity to fight on and claim a title, we understood that we needed to go out there early and make a statement,” said first-year Williston coach Daniel Gutierrez. “We were on fire early on in the first set, utilizing our hitters well, putting that first contact in a great place to set up a great offense. That set the tone for the night.”
Gutierrez said his girls were fired up after being upset in the district tournament.
“Trenton played well, really made us work for the win but nothing was stopping these girls Saturday afternoon,” he said. “It seemed nearly everything was working, everyone knew their role and what they needed to do to help their team through this win. I could not be more proud of this team and the accountability, heart, and initiative they displayed.”
Senior Chanitey James leads Williston with 126 kills, while junior Berkley Brooks leads the team with 147 digs and freshman Estalla jo Fugate has a team-leading 115 assists.
The Terriers (16-2), who are ranked No. 6 in the Rural state rankings by MaxPreps, are led by junior Tiyanni Anderson (167 kills), senior Presslyn Baker (370 assists), and eighth-grade libero Kulipa Julian (221 digs).
In order to advance to next week’s state semifinals, the Red Devils will have to beat the top seed on the road.
“We know Moore Haven is a great well-rounded team that has the skill set to cause problems for us but what it’ll truly depend on is how we decide to show up,” Gutierrez said. “Going into it the only concern I have is can we establish our rhythm early and maintain it while looking at the positive in everything we do. We have the heart, the drive, and the skills to get this done, win our first Regional Championship and head into the State semis, but we have to get it going early and never take our eyes off the prize.”
The Rural state semifinals and championship game will be held on the campus of Polk State College in Winter Haven on Monday, Nov. 4 (state semifinals) and Wednesday, Nov. 6 (state championship).