BAKER — A familiar team will be the top seed when the District 1-1A volleyball tournament opens later this month at Northview.

Baker School will be gunning for its 13 th straight district title. The Gators took an important step toward that goal Tuesday in the volleyball version of the War on Highway 4.

Brittany Brunson had nine kills and Taylor Brunson added seven kills and 14 assists as the Gators swept Jay in straight sets by scores of 25-20, 25-13, 25-10.

Baker Coach Tommiko Parks said the victory allowed the Gators to accomplish the first of their many goals for the season.

“It goes back to season goals,” she said. “We try to go undefeated through our district season – that’s always a goal for us. We’ve got one more game left in our district schedule (Thursday against Laurel Hill).

“Our main goal is to get to that district tournament and be playing well. We have a couple of little things we’ve got to fix and we are going to play our way through it.”

The Gators (11-5, 7-0) didn’t play their best volleyball in the first set. It wasn’t that they played poorly, but they didn’t play exceptionally well either and that allowed the Royals to hang around.

Baker led 16-11 when Jay went on a quick 5-0 run to tie the set 16-16. Ayajah Coleman’s block for Baker ended the Royal run and righted the Baker ship. The Gators led the rest of the set although the Royals did cut the lead to a point on a couple of occasions.

A point off the serve of Brittany Brunson ended the seet as Baker went up 1-0 in the match.

The final two sets weren’t nearly as dramatic.

Jay scored the first point of the set and after that Baker took over going on a 4-0 run. The Gators maintained the lead the rest of the set.

Coleman, Emily Stewart, Brittany Brunson and Taylor Brunson led the way as Baker went up 2-0 in the match.

Jay led the third set 4-2. Things quickly got ugly for the Royals as the Gators turned up the pressure. Baker outscored Jay 23-6 the rest of the way turning the set into a laugher.

Lindsey Stewart picked up her only kill of the match during Baker’s big push toward the win.

Jay was still in the set trailing 15-10 after an unforced Gator error. The gift point was the last Jay scored.

A kill by Emily Stewart started Baker’s 10-0 run to close out the set. Whitley Taylor was pure gold in serve as the Gators scored the last nine points of the match.

Taylor had two aces during her serving run. The match ended with back-to-back kills by Coleman and Taylor Brunson.

“We came a little sluggish, but we were able to rebound the second and third game,” Parks said. “We just have to fix the coming out part (in the first set).

“It was a district rival and a district opponent. We just came out a little flat, but we were able to pick it up.”

BAKER 3, JAY 0: 25-20, 25-13, 25-10

Baker performers: Jessica Black 5 assists, 1 dig; Brittany Brunson 1 ace, 3 digs, 9 kills; Whitley Taylor 2 aces, 6 digs; Emily Stewart 3 aces, 4 digs, 4 kills; Taylor Brunson 4 aces, 14 assists, 3 digs, 7 kills; Lindsey Stewart 4 assists, 2 digs, 1 kill; Ayajah Coleman 1 block, 1 dig, 5 kills; Railey Conner 1 kill; Ashley Black 1 kill.

Baker volleyball box

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker wraps up top district seed (PHOTOS)

FORT WALTON BEACH — Crestview High School’s volleyball team will be looking for its first District 2-6A win Thursday when it hosts Fort Walton Beach. And unfortunately for the Bulldogs it will be their last chance to pick up a district win before the district tournament starts later this month.

In the three-team district there is little margin for error and every match is extra important in the hunt for district seeding.

Crestview knows where it will finish in the regular season district standings after Monday’s match at Choctawhatchee. The Bulldogs will be the three seed no matter what happens Thursday thanks to a straight set loss to the Indians.

The Bulldogs made things interesting at times, but the Indians remained in control throughout the evening. When all was said and done Choctaw had upped its record to 3-1 in district play sweeping Crestview 25-13, 25-15, 25-20.

“The way we played wasn’t anything I anticipated,” Crestview Coach Kathy Combest said. “We worked on stuff and watched film.

“I just think they didn’t come over here ready to play. In the first game I could tell something wasn’t gelling.”

The Bulldogs (15-5, 0-3) got off to a quick start when Cailey Ness scored the first point of the match on a kill. The teams traded points and Crestview briefly led 5-3 before Choctaw (11-3) went on a 7-0 run to take control the set.

Once the Indians took the lead in the first set it they were able to pull away behind strong play at the net.

Evelina Teran and Alyssa Sehman sparked the run with deadly sets and kills.

Crestview tried to rally with big hits from Christa Johnson and Olivia Potts, but it was to no avail as Choctaw was too strong down the stretch.

The Bulldogs showed signs of life in the second set with Ness and Johnson leading the way. Crestview led 8-6 when Choctaw came to life with an 11-3 run to move in front 17-11. Teran finished off the set with a kill to put the Indian up 2-0 in the match.

Crestview’s best chance to get back into the match came in the third set as Potts dominated for the Bulldogs.

A kill and a block by Potts helped Crestview to an 8-4 lead, but once again the Indians came back with Kassandra Fairly and Britney Krueger helping lead the way.

Crestview led 19-18 when the Indians went on a 7-2 run to close things out.

The match ended with the Bulldogs allowing Choctaw to score on an unforced error.

“We were better than where we’ve been,” Indian Coach Scott Allen said. “We are executing better some of the things we are working on. We still have to get better, but they showed a lot of improvement tonight.

“They stayed relaxed even we were down six or seven points in the last set. That’s something we’ve been talking about a lot – whether we are 10 points up or 10 points down – having the same mental outlook and we did a much better job of that tonight.”

The Indians can clinch the number one seed in the upcoming district tournament and a spot in the playoffs if Crestview beats Fort Walton Beach on Thursday. If the Vikings beat the Bulldogs then they are the top seed in the district by virtue of a coin toss held after Monday’s match.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview's volleyball team falls to Choctaw

LAUREL HILL — Three weeks from now a young Laurel Hill School volleyball team might look at Thursday’s District 1-1A match with Northview as a turning point in the season.

Hobo Coach Kent Zessin shuffled his lineup against the Chiefs in hopes of building some momentum as the regular season winds down. Zessin instincts were spot on.

Powered by a 15-kill performance from Kaylee L’Homme the Hoboes picked up their first district win of the season in a sweep of Northview by scores of 25-23, 25-12, 25-11.

“Tonight, I liked the way we hit the ball,” Zessin said. “We’ve been trying to settle down on our passes to our setters and hit the ball.

“We’ve got two capable hitters (Kaylee L’Homme and Kylee Seymour) that can hit it when given sets and they showed that tonight, especially Kaylee being a captain. She really stepped up and did her job tonight.”

The major move was switching Rachel Welsh to libero in place of Olivia Stewart. Stewart remained in the lineup, but at other positions.

Tonight you could see the difference (with Welsh at libero),” Zessin said. “Not taking anything away from Olivia – she still will play that same roll on the back.

“Rachel initially was going to be our libero.  When I lost my two hitters that moved away, I was forced to try and find a hitter. At this point I think our passes are the most important thing.”

The opening points of the first set were sloppy as neither team could get into the flow of the match. Most points were scored not so much by what the scoring team did right, but what the other team did wrong.

Even in the chaotic start L’Homme was making her presence felt with three kills in the set. Laney Fugate’s only kill of the match gave the Hoboes a 9-8 lead as Laurel Hill (4-7, 1-5) surged to a brief lead.

Laurel Hill was up 20-13 and seemed ready to close out the set when Northview rallied behind the play of Leah Fischer and Savanna Roux. The Chiefs tie the set at 21-21 before the teams took turns scoring the next two points.

An unforced error by Northview gave Laurel Hill the lead at 24-23. L’Homme finished off the set with a kill.

Northview never really threatened the final two sets.

The second set was tied 7-7 when the Hoboes broke things open going on a 10-3 run. Seymour had big kill during the run and Lauren Mitchell had an ace.

Welsh served for Laurel Hill to start the third set as the Hoboes jumped in front 7-0 before the first Chief point. Back-to-back kills by L’Homme a few points later put the Hoboes up 9-1 as the pulled away in the set to finish off the match.

Laurel Hill 3, Northview 0: 25-23, 25-12, 25-11

Individual stats Laurel Hill: Bailey Stokes 5 assists; Micah McVay 1 ace, 5 assists, 3 digs, 3 kills; Kaylyn McLaney 4 assists, 2 digs; Lauren Mitchell 1 ace; Laney Fugate 1 kill; Rachel Welsh 2 aces, 2 digs; Kylee Seymour 1 ace, 4 kills; Kaylee L’Homme 1 block, 15 kills.

Laurel Hill volleyball stats

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill gets first district volleyball win

CRESTVIEW — A red hot Crestview High School volleyball team put its five-match winning streak on the line Tuesday night against Navarre.

Perhaps it was the Senior Night celebration before the match. Or maybe it was just the tenacious play of the Raiders. Whatever the reason, the Bulldogs got off to a slow start dropping the first set 24-26 before coming back to win three straight sets 25-12, 25-18, 25-17 to make it six straight wins.

“We are getting to where we can come back when we make some mistakes and not let it be detrimental to us and not let it get us down,” Bulldog coach Kathy Combest said.  “That’s something that helps in the big games too.”

Crestview (15-4) jumped to a quick start in the first set behind the play of Christa Johnson and Kierra Potts taking a 7-2 lead.

But the Raiders were determined to do their best to spoil the big night for Johnson and her fellow seniors; Lakayla Robinson, Alexis Taylor and Meghan Deitz.

Jordyn York got hot in serve as Navarre scored six straight points to move in front 8-7.

The play in the first set continued to go back-and-forth with York, Hayley Thompson and Hallie Bouressa leading the charge for the Raiders. Crestview countered with strong play from Johnson, Potts and Robinson.

Late in the set the Bulldogs were up 22-18 and seemed to be in position to take the 1-0 lead. But Crestview mistakes coupled with Navarre getting strong serves for Thompson propelled the Raiders to the first set win.

The Bulldogs didn’t trail the rest of the match.

Crestview took a 9-1 lead in the second set and pulled away to tie the match at 1-1.

Robinson, Johnson and Potts continued to shine for Crestview in the second set and Marisa Rogers stepped up with several big serves and assists.

A kill by Cailee Ness gave Crestview 6-4 lead in the third set and the Bulldogs were off and running once again.

Rogers was in serve for Crestview to start the fourth set and the Bulldogs scored five straight points to take control of the set early.

Riley Edwards had a kill early in the set for Crestview to help spark the Bulldogs.

But Navarre wouldn’t go away as the Raiders fought their way back in the set. A kill by Eliana Rangel closed the Crestview lead to 16-14.

The Bulldogs then went on a 9-2 run to close out the set and the match.

“Right now we kind of like on a winning streak and doing pretty good,” Combest said. “We just have to keep it that way and play our game.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview shakes off slow start to beat Navarre

LAUREL HILL — Kaylee L’Homme, a junior, is one of Laurel Hill School volleyball team's captains.

Hobo Coach Kent Zessin said the 6-foot-1-inch L’Homme brings plenty to the court.

“She has a very good presence at the net in the middle and on the outside,” he said. “And by time the ball is in the air and there is a jousting position on the net, she does an outstanding job of making an adjustment and reading the ball.

“She’s very athletic for her size and height. I really like her feet and the way she moves. I like the progression she’s made (as an athlete) over the last three years.”

Zessin said L’Homm, who practices every day, is a pleasure to coach

We now catch up with Kaylee L’Homme.

Q: How old were you when you started playing volleyball?

A: I was about 12.

Q: What's the best part of volleyball?

A: Being a leader and getting everybody up and doing things where we come together as a team.

Q: What's the worst part of volleyball?

A: When we don’t communicate and kind of give up.

Q: What are your expectations this season?

A: To be district champions — and maybe going to state.

Q: If you had to pick a different sport to play, what would it be?

A: Probably softball, because I’ve been playing it since I was like 7.

Q: What is your favorite volleyball experience?

A: Winning district last year.

Q: What are your hobbies outside volleyball?

A: I don’t have any. I go to work and school.

Q: What's your dream career?

A: I want to be a nurse or something in the medical field.                                           

Q: Do you want to play college volleyball?

A: Yes, my dream is the University of Florida. Ever since I was little, I’ve been watching them in all of their sports like volleyball, softball and basketball. I just want to go there.

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: “The Grinch.”

Q: Who is your favorite singer?

A: Beyonce.

Q: If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be?

A: Power Puff Girls, because they are always saving the day.

Q: If you could go back and live in any other period in history, which one would you choose?

A:  Maybe the 1980s, because they were always hip and cool.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 13 things you didn't know about Laurel Hill's Kaylee L'Homme