By Remy Cush
On their final stretch of this 2021 fall season, the Ponte Vedra High School girls volleyball team has remained determined to win the state championship, with their 3-0 win of the state-semi match Nov. 13. The girls played against Viera High School, and weren’t hesitant to protect their title when finishing off the three-set match. Juniors Zeta Washington and Jessica Shattles racked up multiple flawless serving streaks throughout the sets, displaying their consistent accuracy when put under pressure.
As the season comes to a near end, senior, Reed Mann comments on the team’s flexibility when faced with certain difficulties on the court, “…we had to adapt to how they played in order to score on them and clean up our own errors, just like any other team we play.” A majority of the girls on the team have played with each other since middle school, both in and out of school volleyball, so this season marks the end of some of the seniors’ volleyball careers, as it does for Mann. She expresses her excitement to play and further advance into the running for another state championship win, but also the pressures she has been faced with this season, “Speaking as a senior, this season has a new kind of pressure that the other seasons didn’t have, in part because the opportunity of winning states for a third year. It’s similar to the past few years though in the relationship that the team has, and the desire of all of us to win states again.”
The girls will travel down to Fort Meyers Nov. 17 for the state championship game against Mater Academy Charter, hopefully bringing back yet another state champion title for PVHS girls volleyball.
The Ponte Vedra High School girls volleyball team advanced further into the running for state finals Nov. 7 with their victorious match against Leon High School. Despite the successful outcome, it didn’t come easily, as LHS gave the girls a run for their money with the 5 set match. The nerves set in when Leon won 23-25 in the first set with a consistently strong offense and solid serves. Despite this loss, the second set was most definitely the most suspenseful set for this season. Senior, Kendall Mignerey started the set by serving an ace, soon followed by a kill straight down the line. Sophomore, Chelsea Sutton ran multiple successful slides, aiding the team with their eventual win 33-31. Without hesitation, LHS came right back in the third set winning 22-25, despite junior, Jessica Shattles beautiful serving streak. Bouncing back from defeat, the girls were able to comeback to win the fourth and fifth sets, leaving PVHS girls volleyball team the title of regional finals champions.
Mignerey lead with 21 kills and 22 digs throughout the game, and Shattles racked up a total of 53 assists in the 5 set match.
The chances of winning states for the Ponte Vedra High School girls volleyball team is looking promising, as they are nearing the end of the season with an overall record of 27-1. The team took on Booker T. Washington High School Oct. 27, and Niceville High School Nov. 3, sweeping both matches 3-0. Junior, Zeta Washington and senior, Rachel Johnson lead the game against BTWHS with a combined total of 26 kills. Setter junior, Jessica Shattles, had 35 recorded assists in the match, aiding the team for a successful offensive game.
Johnson shared her confidence in the teams ability to maintain their winning streak, “We are feeling very confident in ourselves and our abilities. I’m very proud of this team and our hard work. I believe that we will keep going and get that three-peat state win.” Johnsons positive mentality is a clear indication of the teams mindset towards the road they have set ahead of them, only two more matches until the greatly anticipated state championship game.
School support and team spirit is gearing up for the regional final match on Nov. 6 at PVHS, against Leon High School. Hopefully, the girls volleyball team will come out of this match with a victory, allowing them to advance to the running for state finals.
