Hagberg, Combest are Daily News volleyball Players of Year

By JARED MACARIN

jaredm@nwfdailynews.com

Having an experienced leader directing your team is a luxury every coach would love.

That player is reliable, smart and cool under pressure. They are a calming force for the team in times where panic would be understandable.

That is the type of player Niceville and Baker had this season as each team drove deep into the playoffs.

Niceville’s Jennica Hagberg, a senior setter, helped the Eagles to the District 1-5A title and place in the regional semifinals. Baker’s Chelsea Combest, a senior hitter/setter, led the Gators to the District 1-2A title and spot in the regional finals.

For their play, and the intangibles they brought with them, they are the All Sports Association/Daily News volleyball Players of the Year. Hagberg is the top player for the big schools (Class 4A-5A), while Combest was tops in the small schools (Class 1A-3A).

“I think she is the type of player that helps make other players better,” Niceville coach Kris Hagberg said of daughter Jennica. “She is intense on the floor, but it’s a focused intensity. She is a steady player, a smart player, and she plays really well under pressure.”

Jennica Hagberg led the Eagles to one of their finest seasons in recent years. Niceville won its first district title since 2004 after being runner-ups the past two seasons. The Eagles then defeated Tallahassee Lincoln in the regional quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2002. The dream season ended at the hands of Tallahassee Leon, the 5A state runner-up, in a thrilling five-set match.

But the standout setter, who was also a national finalist for the High School Heisman and signed with Stetson University, was proud of the year she and her team had.

“I just wanted to improve my game from last year and make it a great senior year,” she said. “It was fun. Winning district was great and our team had so much chemistry on and off the court. It was just a great end to high school.”

Combest felt the same way. In her final season playing volleyball for her mother and coach, Kathy, the Gators won their fifth consecutive district title. Better yet, they also defeated Blountstown in the regional quarterfinals, avenging their loss in the semifinals a year earlier. The ride was stopped, however, one step before the state semifinals in a loss to North Florida Christian.

But the Gators’ star had no regrets.

“A lot of good things happened this year,” she said. “A lot of the girls stepped up and played hard. It was a good way to go out. It ended really good.”

Hagberg was named to the Class 5A all-state third team by the Florida Sports Writers Association on Saturday. For the season, she had 841 assists, 79 aces, 93 kills, 61 blocks and 127 digs.

“I’m here because our team did well,” Hagberg said. “If we didn’t play well as a team, I probably wouldn’t be here. It reflects on our whole team and how we play together.”

Combest was also a third-team all-state selection in Class 2A after she finished the season with 249 kills, 111 aces, 364 assists and 182 digs.

“To go as far as we did, it felt pretty good,” Combest said. “We all clicked as a team. (Being my last year) it made it special to go that far.”