Three area volleyball teams are headed to the Elite Eight after Sweet 16 play, while Choctaw, Destin and Laurel Hill saw their seasons come to a close.
Niceville 3, Gainesville 2 (25-18, 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 15-8)
Niceville checked every box of a Class 5A state title contender Saturday, beating a Gainesville team that had just stunned two-time defending state champion Chiles. With the fifth set tied at multiple points, the Lady Eagles outscored Gainesville 8-2 down the stretch, and Carnley Summerlin finished it off herself with two decisive kills.
Niceville is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2020 and will host Middleburg at The Nest on Wednesday night.
Niceville volleyball takes down Gainesville in five sets to reach Elite Eight
Niceville beat Gainesville in five sets Saturday to reach the Class 5A Elite Eight for the first time since 2020 and will host Middleburg Wednesday.
South Walton 3, Florida High 1 (22-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-19)
For the fifth straight season, the Lady Seahawks are Elite Eight bound after winning on the road at Florida High. Despite the Lady Seminoles taking the first set, South Walton won the last three as Maci Jones and South Walton’s front line proved to be too much for Florida High to handle.
South Walton will now travel to Pensacola Catholic in a rematch of the district championship, which the Lady Crusaders won in a sweep. Pensacola Catholic swept Wolfson on Saturday.
Baker 3, Laurel Hill 1 (25-15, 20-25, 25-13, 25-15)
The Lady Gators are back in the Elite Eight after a one-year absence. With Taylor Ashburn leading the way, Baker split the first two sets with Laurel Hill and then won the last two to earn the rivalry victory.
Baker will travel to Jay on Tuesday. Jay swept Chipley on Saturday. The two teams met three times this year, most recently in the district title game, with Jay winning all three.
For the Lady Hoboes, the loss closes a special season that saw the program return to prominence in the Rural class. Laurel Hill will lose an extremely impactful senior class, as Savannah Riley, Marilyn Owens, Andrea Barnhill and Madilyn Richmond have all played their final games for the Lady Hoboes. Carlee Boddy is the only core member projected to return in 2027.
Arnold 3, Choctaw 0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-19)
The Lady Indians’ season ended Saturday against Arnold. Choctaw built a six-point lead in the first set and led narrowly at several points in the second, but the Lady Marlins rallied to take both sets before winning the third wire to wire to complete the sweep.
Arnold will now travel to Fleming Island on Wednesday. Fleming Island swept Bishop Kenny on Saturday.
For Choctaw, star libero Gabriella Blackstock looks to be the only core contributor the Lady Indians lose to graduation. Tishelle Bowles, Janiya Brown, Annabeth Bexley, Khloe Brockett and Callie Cotton are all expected back in 2027, barring any transfers.
Trinity Catholic 3, Destin 0 (25-17, 25-6, 25-10)
The Lady Sharks fell to a strong Trinity Catholic team in a sweep Saturday. The loss does not take away from just how historic this season was for Destin.
The Lady Sharks won the first district championship and made the first playoff appearance in program history. It was also the second district championship and Sweet 16 appearance overall in Destin High School history. And the cherry on top? Destin hosted the first home playoff game in the history of the school.
The Lady Sharks will lose Kenzi Prosser, Kaylee Kaiser, Neilya Stewart, Hailey Mikel and Angel Wilson to graduation, while Isabella Volpe, Victoria Silva and Luci Frankfurt highlight the expected returners for 2027, barring any transfers.
