Ponte Vedra volleyball keeps rolling, sets sights on Bishop Kenny

The Ponte Vedra volleyball played a team out of county, but not out of character, throttling Baker County 3-0 (25-10, 25-15, 25-8) Friday in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals.

The dominating win sets the Sharks (24-1) up for a blockbuster semifinal match on the road against Bishop Kenny (23-6). After topping Menendez, the Crusaders are in position yet again to stymie a St. Johns County team. Bishop Kenny has knocked Nease out of the playoffs the past two seasons, and the Sharks in their lone trip back in 2009.

"It's going to be a huge game," Ponte Vedra senior Ashley Lechleidner said. "We're so excited. We know how tough it's going to be."

While past history is on the Crusaders' side, recent times are pointing in a different direction.

Ponte Vedra beat Bishop Kenny for the first time on Sept. 29 in five games, but it would be hard to script a closer match. The Sharks won 25-22, 23-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-6, which was easily one of their most suspenseful victories in a season that hasn't had too many of them. And that includes this postseason.

Ponte Vedra has yet to drop a game, winning all three of its matches 3-0. Tuesday's victory was simply much of the same.

The Sharks took advantage of shaky defensive performance by Baker County, scoring most of its points without a volley. Rachel Halim and Kristen Such each had eight service points and Lindsay White added seven. But it was Lechleidner who put together one of the most impressive statistical nights this season, tallying a quadruple-double with 18 service points, 10 aces, 13 digs and 10 digs. She went through one hot stretch over the course of the end of the first game and the beginning of the second when she served 16 straight points.

Lechleidner said she wasn't aware of the numbers, but happy with the way the team started its most promising playoff run.

"(This) has been so nice," she said. "But we still want to go all the way. Our team is very talent heavy and has been very consistent. It's been a great year."

Ponte Vedra has not played down to any of its opponents lately, and coach Robin Mignerey noted that the Sharks appear to be peaking at just the right time.

One of the things that has helped keep Ponte Vedra rolling is depth. Aside from seniors Lechleidner, Halim, Brooke Parker and White, the team is stacked with sophomores and juniors that have played a major role so far this season.

"Our practices are great," Mignerey said. "We have so many girls pushing each other that it helps keep them on their toes. When someone makes a mistake, I can always put someone else in and we won't miss a beat."

The Sharks played that way against Baker County, rotating middle and outside hitters in their attack all night. With so many serves dropping, however, there weren't too many opportunities for kills. Jenn Hayes had six and Abbey Barnhard tallied five.

Mostly, it was a game of dominating runs for Ponte Vedra on a night where it never trailed and mostly appreciated a plush cushion throughout the match.

"I think we are playing well, we're clicking right now. That's all I can ask for," Mignerey said. "You can't worry too much about what goes on the other side of the ball. We just worry about what we're doing, our ball control and do what we're supposed to do and we should be OK."

Such led the defense with 17 digs, while Halim had 26 assists.

For Baker County, Logan Raulerson had nine assists and Kayla Holland tacked on four kills.