High school volleyball playoffs: Northeast Florida games, matchups to watch in first round
High school volleyball regional quarterfinals
All matches 7 p.m. Tuesday unless noted
REGION 1-4A
Baker County (11-10) at Bishop Kenny (16-9)
Megan Barton leads with 189 kills for the Wildcats, who are still seeking their first playoff victory, while Bishop Kenny has reached at least the regional final for 17 years running. Georgia-committed Ally Cavanaugh is up to 278 kills with a .347 hitting percentage.
Beachside (15-5) at Fernandina Beach (19-5)
A milestone for the young Barracudas and a big chance for Fernandina Beach, which last won a playoff match in 2014. The Pirates' senior experience of Ella Johns and Cadie Gillette contrasts with Beachside newcomers Adriana Jeanpierre and Erica Duffy. Beachside narrowly won a three-set match between the teams on Sept. 17.
Pensacola (17-9) at Bolles (20-6)
Grace Albaugh (287 kills) and Gracie Arnett (451 assists) are the leaders for a Bulldogs team that's weathered a bruising schedule. Pensacola has only once won a playoff match, in 2019, but has a balanced attack with Zoe Malloy, Kendal Homweood and McColl Mitchem.
Keystone Heights (17-7) at South Walton (15-10)
Seeking its first playoff win since 2008, Keystone enters the playoffs with a 532-assist setter in senior Kori Jennings. For the Seahawks, Darby Beddome fills multiple roles with 284 digs and 247 kills.
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REGION 1-3A
Tallahassee Maclay (14-10) at Trinity Christian (23-3)
This is Trinity's best-ever regular season, and Amaria King (337 kills, .305 hitting percentage) is ready to keep it going. Olivia Greenberg (188 kills, .266 hitting percentage) is the top scoring threat for the Marauders, three-time FHSAA champions.
Providence (11-11) at Winter Park Trinity Prep (16-10)
A road trip awaits for the Stallions and Rollins-committed middle blocker Robinson Repass (277 kills). Sophomores Victoria Hill (381 kills) and Elena Maynulet (344 kills) bring big-time power for Trinity Prep, a state finalist in 1991 and 1997.
REGION 1-2A
Beaches Chapel (16-7) at Harvest Community (12-9)
Victoria Papineau has 94 aces for a Beaches Chapel team back for its first playoff since 1985, while Abby Maynor powers Harvest with 191 kills and a .345 hitting percentage. Harvest has swept both meetings. The winner plays Friday against Gainesville Oak Hall or Tallahassee St. John Paul II.
University Christian (15-6) at Christ's Church (16-5)
An all-local matchup in Mandarin. State champion in 2017, the Eagles topped UC in a Sept. 24 sweep with 14 kills from sophomore Julia Howard. UC's lineup is packed with multi-sport athletes, including versatile junior Sophia Kardatzke (163 kills, 200 assists).
Countryside Christian (10-11) at St. Johns Country Day (18-5)
St. Johns had no trouble with the Minutemen in sweeps on Sept. 1 and Sept. 26, with Ashlyn Anderson blasting 19 kills in the latter match. For Countryside, Alison Scarborough has notable numbers in assists (240), digs (190) and kills (117).
Matches 7 p.m. Wednesday unless noted
REGION 1-7A
Winter Park (20-7) at Creekside (15-7)
Seniors Tyler Patterson, Vivi Vasquez and Allison Green are among the seasoned veterans for Creekside, coming off the District 1-7A title. There's a massive obstacle in front of the Knights: Winter Park junior Fallon Stewart, a 6-3 Cincinnati commit with 408 kills on the year and a .305 hitting percentage.
Bartram Trail (19-8) at Oviedo Hagerty (18-8)
It's a contest of two 300-kill attackers, Brooke Stephens (313) for Hagerty and Jenna Otts (391) for Bartram Trail, and a big test for a Bears team with youth at a lot of key positions. Bartram Trail is in the playoffs for the 11th time in the last 12 years.
REGION 1-6A
Tallahassee Chiles (20-7) at Ponte Vedra (14-6)
Is this the last night in the Shark Tank for two-time FHSAA champion seniors Zeta Washington and Jessica Shattles? Even with a win, the FHSAA rankings likely send the Sharks on the road for subsequent rounds. The visiting Timberwolves have a star freshman setter in Natalie Gibson, with 668 assists. If the Sharks win, they'll play Saturday against New Smyrna Beach or Niceville.
REGION 1-5A
Stanton (17-6) at Choctawhatchee (22-5)
Caroline Rinaman and Alaina Castengera lead a senior-heavy Stanton team still looking for its first playoff victory. They face the long trip to an experienced Choctaw team with a powerful FAMU-committed attacker in Iyonnie Sanford (351 kills, 93 blocks, .447 hitting percentage).
Ocala Vanguard (13-11) at Middleburg (17-11)
Connor Rahn (345 kills, .287 hitting percentage) is playing superb volleyball to lead the Broncos against Vanguard, which has won three state titles in the past decade. Emma Ehmann, Ruby Owen and Lillian Hart all have more than 150 kills for the Knights.
Ridgeview (16-11) at Pensacola Washington (16-8)
Haley Robinson (262 kills), Kasey Casiple (532 digs) and Mariah Bostic-Jones (592 assists) combine on a Ridgeview team that reached a regional final last year. The Wildcats' Alyx Zapatka is also a frequent scorer with 263 kills. The winner advances to meet Tallahassee Lincoln or Daytona Beach Seabreeze on Saturday.
REGION 3-1A
Hilliard (9-5) at Aucilla Christian (20-3)
7 p.m. Thursday
This is a rematch from just one week ago, after Aucilla Christian swept the Red Flashes 25-18, 25-17, 25-21 behind 14 kills from Lena Kimmell and 38 digs from Madison Rudd. Hilliard is seeking its first playoff victory since 2018.
Clayton Freeman covers high school sports and more for the Florida Times-Union. Follow him on Twitter at @CFreemanJAX, and sign up for the First Coast Varsity newsletter at https://profile.jacksonville.com/newsletters/first-coast-varsity/.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school volleyball: 2022 Northeast Florida first-round playoff preview
