Baker’s Elite Eight run came to an end Tuesday night, as rival Jay won at home in four sets (25-19, 25-15, 17-25, 25-22) to advance to the Final Four in Winter Haven.
- Against nearly every program it faced this season, Baker had its way. Only two teams found an answer for the Lady Gators.
Class 3A playoff qualifier Freeport won both regular-season meetings, the second in five sets on Sept. 29. Jay, one of Baker’s biggest rivals, won all four meetings between the teams this season, including the district championship. With Tuesday’s win, the Lady Royals claimed full volleyball bragging rights in the “War on Highway 4.”
The first set opened tight before a kill from Jay’s Darby Godwin sparked an 11-2 Lady Royals run. Baker clawed its way back behind key blocks from Ja’Kiley Reed, but Jay held on to take the set 25-19.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Sophomore Ellie Fleming stays steady, does it all for Baker volleyball
The only six-rotation player on Baker's volleyball team, Fleming runs the offense, serves with dominance and holds a 4.5 GPA.
The second set opened point for point before Godwin took over again and powered Jay to a 25-15 win.
With their backs against the wall in the third set, the Lady Gators came out in full swing. Eighth-grader Taylor Ashburn had her way as Baker dominated the set and won it 25-17 to force a fourth.
The fourth set opened tight as well, but Godwin and Aubreigh Nelson helped the Lady Royals pull ahead, and Jay closed out the match 25-22. Jay will likely face Region 2 champion Liberty County in the Final Four.
For Baker, the 19-6 season was a success, highlighted by its Elite Eight run, even as it marked a second straight year without a district title after the program won 24 straight.
The Lady Gators will graduate five seniors: Reed, Olivia Quattlebaum, Lacy Adams, Annabelle Kearney and Caitlyn Fularz. The majority of the core, including Ashburn, Ellie Fleming, Mallory Lawson and Annie Joiner, is set to return in 2027, barring any transfers.
