The Panthers prowled their way into 5A District 4 champions as they defeated the Buccaneers in 5 sets, winning 25-23, 25-23, 20-25, 22-25, and 15-12 respectively. Leading the overall offensive scoring for the Panthers as well as the Buccaneers, Freshman middle hitter Megan Lee shined for Pine Ridge with 29 kills, and Mainland’s senior hitter Alexa Wilson contributed an impressive 22 kills of her own to the match. The Panthers’ budding freshman Megan Lee was also a defensive weapon putting up 4 solo blocks as well as 3 block assists in their championship win.

The Buccaneers faced the Pirates on the high seas of volleyball to battle for a spot in the district championship. Mainland marooned Matanzas with a quick first set that began with a stuff and a kill, then ended with a 25-10 lopsided win. Mainland senior outside hitter Alexa Wilson led the team’s offense with a heavy arm giving the Buccaneers 16 kills on 42 attacks.

The Buccaneers nearly bested the Sandcrabs at home, but fell short in the fifth set after heading into volleyball overtime and losing by 2. The first set went to Seabreeze as setter Skylar Martin served their squad into victory with powerful overhands and a few instant replay aces up their sleeves. The Bucs came back in the second set with defensive specialist Bella Truxall adding an ace of her own in addition to a major defensive play against an onslaught of attacks from the Sandcrabs.

The Buccaneers successfully navigated to a win in the Shark-infested waters of Atlantic High School in a four-set match that even saw one set go into volleyball overtime! The Sharks started circling as they took down the Bucs 25-23 in the first set. The second set opened with scorching serves from sophomore outside hitter Mia Mayberry as she put up 7 aces to turn the tide in favor of the Bucs. This match went into “volleyball overtime” as both squads hit 24-25 in the third set forcing a “win-by-2” situation.

The Mainland Buccaneers dove into the Green Wave at Father Lopez to start off their 2021-22 volleyball season on the road. The Green Wave came out strong under the leadership of sophomore middle hitter Taylor Timko’s 11 kills and Emma Daihnut’s 6 kills and 2 aces. Sydney Downey, the Green Wave’s junior setter, contributed 20 assists and 1 ace on the evening as well.