AP Volleyball Loses Key Match As District Plaoffs Loom

AVON PARK - Sarah Tickner and the Braden River volleyball team didn't want to open their postseason run with defending district champion DeSoto.
They'd rather save the Bulldogs for the finals.

"We're ready for them, but we'd rather not face them in the first round," said Tickner, whose nine kills led the Pirates to a 25-15, 25-19, 25-20 victory over the Avon Park Red Devils in a crucial district match. "We've come so far this season, we're ready to show what we can do."

They've definitely showed Avon Park this season. The Pirates' two victories over the Devils all-but assured them a higher seed in the upcoming Class 3A-District 7 volleyball tournament, which begins Oct. 22 at Sebring.

"They're a very good team," said AP senior Kelly Bass, whose five kills and two aces paced the Devils. "We played well, but they just got the best of us."

Braden River went on an 11-point run in the middle of the first set to take a 20-8 lead, and three kills by Tickner down the stretch sealed the opener and put the Devils on their toes.

The Pirates never trailed in the second set, and despite four kills by Bass and two kills by junor Melissa Tullo in the late stages of the game, Braden River cruised to the two-set advantage behind its "fast" offense.

"Our fast offense changes everything," said Pirate coach Nikki Vaporis, noting that she calls out specific plays before every point, shifting blockers and using decoys to give the opposition a different look. "It forces our setter to make quick decisions, which really helps us in the long run. To win using that offense really puts us one step closer to where we want to be."

The Pirates jumped on the Devils to open the third set, taking a 13-4 lead. AP would get within four points just once the rest of the way, allowing Braden River to secure the season sweep with a 25-20 win in the final set.

Tullo finished with four kills and a block, while senior Nataly Berrios finished with two kills and senior Missy Lander had two aces.
"We have to be quick on our feet and be ready when the ball comes back over the net," said Avon Park coach Christy Hipps. "Our communication is key, and it's something we really need to work on."
Bass agreed.

"I think we played well as a team," she said. "But we really need to play as a team and talk more often out there."
The Devils host Lake Placid at 7:30 p.m. on Monday.

Sebring Streaks Past Palmetto

PALMETTO - Rachel Ashley had seven kills and three blocks, Brittanie Augustin had 22 assists and the Sebring volleyball team cruised to a 25-12, 25-18, 25-18 victory over Palmetto on Thursday night.
Molly Blackman added six aces and four blocks, while Hannah Shoop had seven kills and Olivia Bullock added five more kills.

The Blue Streaks, still without the services of injured starters Ashley Waldon and Anna West, head to Palm Beach this weekend for a volleyball tournament before returning to the area to take on Lake Placid at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.