SANTA ROSA BEACH — One might forgive the good people of Baker School if they decide not to make the beaches of South Walton County there vacation destination.
In a span of less than 24 hours South Walton High School athletic teams were less than welcoming host to the visiting Gators.
Friday night the Seahawks handed the Baker football team its first loss of the season.
Saturday afternoon, in the Class 1A region volleyball finals, it was the South Walton volleyball team’s turn to send the Gators home unhappy.
Powered by 20 kills from Belle Waldrop, the Seahawks beat Baker in five sets, 25-16, 15-25, 24-26, 25-15, 15-9.
Baker-South Walton volleyball photos>>>
The loss capped a run of three-straight years in the final four by the Gators who finish the season 19-4.
Baker Coach Tommiko Parks was philosophical in her assessment of the match.
“It was a well played match,” she said. “South Walton did some adjustments that we adjusted to early. We were able to come back, but it wasn’t in the cards for us today.
“I’m proud of the way the girls played. We came out and we played hard and we played tough. You win some and you lose some.”
With Waldrop pounding the rock the Seahawks broke open a tight first set after the Gators tied the set at 13-13.
South Walton closed out the set with vengeance going on a 12-3 run to go up a set.
Ashley Black and Kelsee McGraw were at their best in the second and third sets as the Gators took a 2-1 lead in the match to move to within one set of a return trip to the finals in Kissimmee.
But the day belonged to South Walton. The Seahawks (15-12) scored the first three points of the fourth set and never trailed as they tied match at 2-2.
With momentum and the home crowd on their side the Seahawks broke in front 2-1 in the fifth set and led the rest of the way.
Waldrop’s 20 kills for the Seahawks were followed by Maddie Cope’s nine kills. Olivia Sanders had six kills and Taylor Prince and Laura Andrews each had three kills.
Black led the Gators with 11 kills. Brittany Brunson had six kills and McGraw had five kills.
Taylor Brunson dished out 25 assists for the Gators. Lena Daoud had 18 digs.
The future looks bright for the Gators despite a disappointing end to the season.
Hartley Moate is the only senior on the team so Baker will return their district championship team almost intact.
“It was a fun year,” Parks said. “Like I told the girls, a lot of people didn’t expect us to get this far so we are just excited to be there."
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Seahawks down Baker in volleyball region finals (PHOTOS, VIDEO)