Baker volleyball sweeps its way into regionals
By RANDY DICKSON
randy@nwfdailynews.com
BAKER — As “I Love Rock and Roll” blared out of the sound system in the Baker gym, Gator junior Kali Flanders did her best to get the fans into the volleyball match against Pensacola Christian Academy in the District 1-2A finals.
As the home fans rocked, the Gators rolled to their fifth consecutive district title, beating the Warriors 25-13, 25-13, 25-12.
“I was just trying to be enthusiastic and get the fans into the match,” Flanders said with an embarrassed grin on her face. “We came in to win and we wanted to get everyone totally involved.”
The Gators had plenty of motivation.
Of course, there was the pride in wanting to make it five straight titles. But something more pulled at the team as they made their final run under coach Kathy Combest, who is battling cancer and will step down as volleyball coach at the end of the year.
“It means a lot to give her the title,” Flanders said. “I’m happy we could do it for her.
“Now we just have to come back and stay focused through the region.”
It didn’t take long for Baker (23-3) to flex its muscle.
The first game was tied at 2 when the Gators went on a 5-0 run to take control.
In some ways, they made it look easy with a relentless offense and defense as they limited PCA to three points off Warrior serves.
Kaylee Bradley sparked the early run with big hits at the net and bigger serves.
The game ended on an Apryl Crawford point off a PCA serve.
PCA (10-10) wasn’t about to go away. After beating Freeport on Tuesday to advance to the finals, the Warriors were looking for one more upset.
With Laura Hullinger in serve, PCA scored the first four points of the second game.
The Warriors could never extend their lead past four. Having taken PCA’s best shot, the Gators came roaring back behind the serving of Bradley to erase an 8-5 deficit and move in front 9-8.
Moments later, Baker led 16-12 as Chelsea Combest took over the serve. By the time the Warriors could solve her serves, the Baker lead was 21-13.
A Flanders kill with Whitney Boutwell in serve ended the game.
Chelsea Combest said she wasn’t worried about the PCA run.
“After we came back on them in the second game they got down,” she said. “We knew it was our turn and we could take it the whole way.”
Baker never trailed in the final game.
Kathy Combest credited the senior class (Crawford, Chelsea Combest, Sydney Boutwell and Whitney Boutwell) with the success of the team throughout the year.
“They feel like it is their duty for us to win,” the coach said. “They look at the wall (with all the banners) and they know it represents what it takes to reach a goal.”
There are other goals to be reached this year for the Gators.
“We are going to take every game as it comes,” Kathy Combest said. “Last year we made it to the regional finals, but this year we want to go to state.
“Some of us will never have another chance.”
The Gators will host the runner-up of District 2-2A Wednesday at 7 p.m. PCA will play at the District 2 champions.
Baker 3, Pensacola Christian 0
Game scores: 25-13, 25-14, 25-12.
Baker (23-3): Kali Flanders 5 kills, 2 blocks, 8 digs; Sydney Boutwell 10 digs, Chelsea Combest 9 kills, 12 assists, 6 aces, 5 digs; Apryl Crawford 10 kills, 9 assists, 2 aces, 1 block; Whitney Boutwell 3 kills, 1 ace, 2 blocks, 6 digs; Courtney Fountain 1 kill, 2 blocks, 2 digs; Kaylee Bradley 3 kills, 6 aces, 4 blocks, 2 digs.
