JAY — Nothing came easy for the Baker School volleyball team Tuesday night in the District 3-1A semifinals.
The Gators, who are seeking a 12th consecutive district title struggled throughout the match against host Jay. But even as Baker struggled, the Gators battled and showed the heart of the champions they have proven themselves to be time and time again.
In the end that heart prevailed as Baker won 25-23, 25-7, 25-23.
Baker-Jay district volleyball semifinals photos>>>
The win wrapped up a spot in the state playoffs for a 22nd consecutive year. The Gators play Chipley at 6 p.m. Thursday for the district title. The Tigers beat Freeport in five sets.
Baker (17-3) trailed 20-16 in the first set before coming back to win it 25-23. The Gators were down 10-1 and 20-12 in the third set, but they found a way to pull it out 25-23. Sandwiched between the two nail biters was a quick win.
“I told the girls we didn’t play our best, but we battled through and came out victorious,” Baker coach Tommiko Parks said. “It’s important that they understand that even though we are not playing our best that we have to keep pushing and keep battling.
“When we weren’t playing well at the net our serve-receive was spot on and our serve was pretty good tonight.”
The first set went back-and-forth in the early going as both teams seemed to try and find their tournament legs.
Jay led 6-5 when a kill by Emily Stewart pulled the Gators even and started a 4-0 run to put Baker in front.
Strong play from Emily Russell propelled the Royals (14-10) back into the lead. With Jay leading 20-16 the Gators were on the ropes.
Kelsee McGraw scored for Baker to make it 20-16. A McGraw kill later pulled the Gators to within a point at 21-20.
Jay led 23-21 when a lift gave Baker a point, make the score 23-22, and the serve. Taylor Brunson was spot on with her serves and Hartley Moate finished off the set with a kill.
Moate said the key to the comeback was listening to Parks.
“Coach told us to keep on pushing forward and to fight back and battle and that’s what we did,” she said.
The second set was all Baker as the Gators jumped to a 10-0 lead and never looked back.
More high drama was in store in the third set as the Gators continued to push after falling behind early.
The Gators were unable to catch the Royals until an unforced error by Jay allowed Baker to tie things up at 23-23.
Baker’s first lead of the set came on a Brittany Brunson kill with Ashley Black in serve that put the Gators up 24-23.
The Royals were unable to handle Black’s next serve as the Gators finished off the win.
Stewart led the Gators with 10 kills. Black and McGraw each had six kills.
Taylor Brunson had 28 assists and three aces for Baker. Lena Daoud had 13 digs. And Moate had three aces, four kills, three digs and two assists.
EmailNews Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker downs Jay in district semifinals (PHOTOS, VIDEO)