Creekside, Bolles advance to volleyball state semifinals

The Creekside volleyball team earned its first trip to the state semifinals with a 26-24, 25-23, 21-25, 25-21 victory over Brooksville Nature Coast on Saturday in the Region 2-5A final.

Middle blocker Erika Hinel had 14 kills and seven blocks for the Knights (24-5), who advanced to Thursday's noon state semifinal against Gulf Breeze at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.

The Dolphins (24-4) defeated visiting Bishop Kenny 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-21) in the Region 1-5A final on Saturday.

In Creekside's regional championship, Caley Crawford had nine kills and Hayley Miller added 22 digs. Emily Fox (15 assists) and Rachel Gupton (13 assists) led the offense.

The Knights had to tighten up at the finish because the Sharks (25-3) were threatening to force a fifth game.

Nature Coast erased a 19-12 deficit to get within two points late. But the Sharks couldn't close, spraying back to back serves into the net.

Hinel put down a kill to increase the Knights' lead to 24-21, and Nature Coast mishandled a set on the next point to touch off a wild celebration that's been four years in the making.

Creekside had never won a district match or had a winning record prior to this season.

"It's the best feeling I've ever had in the world," said Hinel, an Embry-Riddle signee. "It doesn't seem real yet."

The Crusaders (23-7) fell in the region final to Gulf Breeze for the second consecutive season.

Region 1-4A: Bolles survived a challenge from Pensacola Catholic in the second game but earned a fourth consecutive trip to the final four with a 25-14, 27-25, 25-18 victory in the regional championship. … Freshman Kendra Koetter came up big for the Bulldogs (23-7) with 19 service points, three aces and 29 assists. … Cayla Levins led Bolles with 23 service points, and senior Gabby Mallette had 23 kills. … It was the second year in a row the Bulldogs ousted Pensacola Catholic (22-4) in the region final. … Bolles will face Orlando Bishop Moore at noon on Wednesday in the Class 4A state semifinals.

Region 2-1A: Union County (19-8) fell one game short of the program's first state semifinal appearance, losing 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-17) to visiting Crescent City (22-6).