Creekside volleyball team pushes Gulf Breeze to brink, but can't close in state semifinals

KISSIMMEE - The Creekside volleyball team gave Gulf Breeze all it could handle Thursday afternoon before its dream season ended in the Class 5A state semifinals.

The Dolphins ousted the Knights 21-25, 25-16, 25-18, 22-25, 15-8 at Silver Spurs Arena, and will play in today's state championship match.

Creekside (24-6) could not overcome a combined 40 errors against a Gulf Breeze team that dominated at the net (53 kills) and service line (nine aces).

"That's something we've been dealing with all season, but our defense has been able to step up and make up for some of those unforced errors," Creekside coach Megan Bowers said. "That was a solid all-around team we were playing against, and if you're making too many errors they will catch up and bite you."

Particularly when it mattered most.

Creekside forced a fifth game after clawing its way out of a five-point deficit in the fourth. An ace by Erika Hinel tied the game at 18-all before two aces from Emily Fox and a strong finish at the net by Jenna Holt helped force the deciding game.

The Knights took an early lead from there on huge plays at the net by Hinel, but Gulf Breeze (25-4) benefited from a Creekside error to even the score at 5-5.

The Dolphins took control the rest of the way as the Knights hit consecutive shots into the net and ultimately had no answer for the swing in momentum.

"It was definitely frustrating," Hinel said of the final game. "We always go out there and concentrate on being the first to five (points), the first to 10 and the first to 15. But we just had a lot of unforced errors when we shouldn't have."

Hinel, who has signed with Embry-Riddle, finished with 14 kills and three blocks for Creekside. Fox recorded 29 assists and nine digs while Florida International University-bound libero Hayley Miller had 42 digs and served up three aces.

Creekside was playing in its first state final four game in front of an energetic group of fans.

Despite the inconsistencies throughout the match, the Knights were just the fifth team to force Gulf Breeze beyond three games this season, thanks in large part to its presence along the net.

"When we passed well we were able to run our middles and that makes it a lot easier on our outsides," Bowers said. "That's what worked well for us. But when we weren't passing well we were really out of rhythm and were not able to put the ball away."

It marked just the 12 th time that a program from St. Johns County has reached the state semifinals. County programs are now 1-11 in those matches, with the lone win coming from Nease in 2008. The Panthers went on to win the Class 4A state championship.