Niceville volleyball advances to regional semis

By JARED MACARIN

jaredm@nwfdailynews.com

NICEVILLE — One point at a time.

That was Niceville’s approach as its match with Tallahassee Lincoln wore on in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals on Tuesday.

It worked, just barely, as the Eagles escaped a thrilling five-set match to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2002.

In the next round, Niceville (26-3) will host Tallahassee Leon on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Leon eliminated the Eagles last season in the quarterfinals, and defeated Fort Walton Beach on Tuesday to move on.

“It was very intense,” Niceville senior setter Jennica Hagberg said. “We just tried to focus and stay clam and concentrate on what we were doing.”

That focus paid off, especially in the final game against the Trojans. Tied at 2, Lincoln (18-8) jumped out to a 5-0 lead. The Eagles called a timeout, settled down and were right back in it as they tied it moments later at 7 and momentarily took the lead on Ijanae Holman’s serve. But from then on, neither team could gain control and the lead continued to trade hands down the stretch.

With the score tied at 14, a spike by Holman put the Eagles just one point away from winning, but the point was reversed as the officials said Holman crossed over the line underneath the net. That momentary switch did not deter Niceville, which claimed the final three points to win 17-15 and set off a raucous celebration.

“They played with so much heart tonight,” Niceville coach Kris Hagberg said. “They kept their composure and their focus the whole time. It was a total team effort.”

Niceville raced out to a lead in each of the first three games, but managed to win just the first (25-20) and the third (15-17). In the second, Lincoln rallied from a 19-11 deficit behind the hitting of Ashley Johnson to take the game 25-22. The Trojans had command from the start in the fourth set, going up 12-1 before holding off a ferocious comeback by the Eagles to win 25-21 and force a fifth game.

While the Trojans were led by the duo of Johnson (16 kills) and Paige Pridgeon (24 kills), Niceville’s offense had the balance that Kris Hagberg has preached all year. Cat Houston had 10 kills, while Taylor Tiahrt had seven kills and Holman and Katie Weeks each had five. Weeks added eight blocks, while Jennica Hagberg contributed 36 assists, four kills and five blocks.

But Kris Hagberg said the passing from the back row from players such as Lauren Foy, Amber Jenkins, Tiahrt and Jenna Hassell was equally as important.

“I think our passing was really the key to our success tonight,” the second-year coach said. “Our defense really saved us.”

Niceville 3, Lincoln 2

Scores: 25-20, 22-25, 25-17, 21-25, 17-15

Niceville (26-3): Taylor Tiahrt 7 kills, 1 block, 8 digs, 1 ace; Cat Houston 10 kills, 6 blocks; Jennica Hagberg 36 assists, 4 kills, 5 blocks, 4 digs; Ijanae Holman 5 kills, 1 block, 5 digs, 2 aces; Rachael Farrell 2 kills, 2 blocks; Amber Jenkins 9 digs; Jenna Hassell 9 digs, 2 aces; Katie Weeks 5 kills, 8 blocks; Debbie deKok 1 kill, 1 block; Lauren Foy 2 kills, 4 digs, 3 aces; Jaclyn Mailoto 1 kill.

Next: Niceville: Tuesday vs. Tallahassee Leon in the regional semifinals.