Niceville wins district tune-up over Vikings

By JARED MACARIN

jaredm@nwfdailynews.com

NICEVILLE — The match may have had no bearing on the district standings, but there was no shortage of intensity between Fort Walton Beach and Niceville.

And it was the Eagles who were able to maintain that intensity longer in defeating the rival Vikings 25-19, 25-18, 25-22 on Tuesday.

The victory did not count in the district standings even though the teams are in the same district. Niceville had already wrapped up the top seed for next week’s district tournament, while the Vikings will be the No. 2 seed. The teams met last year in the district finals in the same position, with the Vikings coming out on top to claim the title.

But that didn’t make the Eagles (22-3) play with any less pressure or emotion.

“There is always pressure no matter who you play,” Eagle hitter Cat Houston said. “We still have to come out, play hard and every game is a big game.”

Houston helped lead a balanced Niceville attack that did not let up all night, even when down. Houston had 10 kills, while Rachael Farrell had eight, Ijanae Holman six and Katie Weeks contributed five. Jennica Hagberg had 33 assists along with five of the team’s eight aces. Weeks also had seven blocks.

“Fort Walton Beach is a quality team,” Niceville coach Kris Hagberg said. “This win gives us some wind behind our sails. It helps us realize the work we put in during practice pays off.”

The Vikings (18-6) fought from behind in each of the first two games, and could not hold an early lead in the third. The Eagles gained the lead quickly in each of the first two games and held off any rally attempt made by the Vikings. In the final game, Fort Walton Beach gained the advantage early on, but a six-point run in the middle of the set put the Eagles in front again and they rode that momentum to the finish.

Jessica Guidry led the attack for Fort Walton Beach with 15 kills, while Melissa Smith had five kills and both Brooke Troop and Emily Guidry had four kills. Emily Lyerly had 20 assists.

“Niceville came out with more intensity and played more consistently than we did,” Fort Walton Beach coach John Key said. “They capitalized on the mistakes we made. I hope we can practice with more intensity and it transfers onto the court.”

Niceville is through with the regular season before the district tournament, which is at Fort Walton Beach. The Vikings wrap up the regular season on Thursday at home against Washington.

Niceville 3, Fort Walton Beach 0

Scores: 25-19, 25-18, 25-22

Niceville (22-3): Jennica Hagberg 5 aces, 33 assists, 3 digs, 3 blocks; Taylor Tiahrt 2 kills, 7 digs; Cat Houston 10 kills, 4 digs, 2 blocks; Ijanae Holman 1 ace, 6 kills, 1 dig, 1 block; Rachael Farrell 8 kills, 1 block; Jenna Hassell 2 aces, 1 kill, 14 digs; Katie Weeks 5 kills, 7 blocks; Amber Jenkins 4 digs; Lauren Foy 2 kills, 7 digs.

FWB (18-6): Emily Lyerly 1 block, 4 digs, 20 assists; Jessica Guidry 2 blocks, 9 digs, 1 ace, 15 kills; Jessica Davis 3 blocks, 5 digs, 3 kills; Emily Guidry 3 blocks, 4 digs, 4 kills; Melissa Smith 3 blocks, 5 kills; Brooke Troop 3 digs, 4 kills; Alex Conner 11 digs; savannah Bruner 1 dig; Katrina Slater 4 digs, 1 ace, 8 assists.

JV: Niceville won

Next: Niceville: Tuesday at District 1-5A tournament. FWB: Thursday vs. Washington