By Sasha Crowe
The Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) girls volleyball team has been busy this past week, playing in a two-day tournament. On Friday, Sep. 22, the girls played in the Elise Bush Invitational and faced three teams in shorter matches with a best of three sets. The Sharks bested the Bolles High School Bulldogs in two sets for their first match of the tournament. With tight scores of 26-24 and 25-19, the ladies snuck away with the win. Senior, Chelsea Sutton led the team in kills. “We have gotten better at refocusing when we are down and fighting our way back into games,” describes Chelsea Sutton. Sutton was named to the All-Tournament Team and is committed to playing volleyball at the University of Tennessee next Fall. An hour later, the Sharks swiftly defeated the Creekside High School Knights in two sets. Scores of 25-15 and 25-12 were light wins for the girls. Sutton, at middle blocker, once again led the team to victory with seven kills. The last match of the day was a fight to the end against Jupiter High School. The Sharks lost in two close sets with scores of 24-26 and 18-25. The Jupiter Warriors are nearly undefeated, yet the PVHS ladies held their ground.
On Saturday Sept. 23, day two of the tournament started just as competitive. The ladies faced Beachside High School and lost in two sets. The scores were once again close at 21-25 and 23-25. To gain redemption and fight for third place, the Sharks demolished Ridgeview High School in two sets. With scores of 25-10 and 25-10, the girls prevailed and earned bronze overall. The key leader of day two was senior outside hitter, Ava Grall, leading the team in kills. “Our end goal is to make it to the state championship but as for right now we are looking to play some good volleyball and really compete with the teams we face,” states Grall.
As the Sharks head closer to postseason, their record is now 6-8. This week the girls play three games in a row hoping to improve their record. On Oct. 2-4, the girls face Trinity Christian Academy, Tocoi Creek High School, and Fernandina Beach High School.
Pictured: Haydin Froehlich (10) going up for a spike
