JACKSONVILLE – The double trouble volleyball duo of sophomore Rayna Durden and freshman Jasmine Robinson at the net proved damaging to the assertions of state powers Bolles and Bishop Kenny high schools as the Fleming Island High volleyball team took down two of the state’s best programs in a morning of thrills at the Bishop Kenny Preseason Volleyball Classic Saturday morning. 7A region quarterfinalist Middleburg, the district 3-7A runnerup, and 6A region semifinalist Ridgeview, the district 4-6A champions, were also on the roster with the Broncos playing Tallahassee Chiles and 4A region quarterfinalist Providence with Ridgeview playing Providence and 8A region finalist Creekside.

“I told you this year was going to be fun,”said Fleming Island coach Amy Walker, after her Golden Eagles battled back to defeat Bolles, a 5A state semifinalist in 2016, in five games in their 9 a.m. matchup before having to regear for a 10:30 a.m. clash with Bishop Kenny, the 2015 5A runnerups and a 2016 6A state semifinalist. “Rayna is such an overall athlete and Jasmine comes to us with a lot of energy. Both are dangerous up front and were not intimidated at all.”

With senior hitter Kaci Hollenbacher on the bench in an ankle boot, Walker was forced to shuffle her net lineup.

“With Kaci on the bench, someone had to step up,” said Walker. “I think they did that pretty decisively. We also got great play from Jillian Jackson at the net. I think our newest member, Lyara Rosario, had the most consistency in both games. She played very smart and made good decisions for key points.”

Fleming Island opens its season with a three-game series against Pedro Menendez, Ridgeview and Orange Park on August 22, 23 and 24.

Ridgeview and Middleburg were also competing at the Bishop Kenny Preseason Classic with the Panthers, the two-time district 4-6A champions, opening with Fleming Island on August 23. For Middleburg coach Carrie Prewitt, with a lineup visibly at a height disadvantage, the size of the opposing team is not an reason for losses.

“I felt like we are capable of playing at a higher level,” said Prewitt, who got solid net action from returners Jenna, a senior, and Jillian Bemis, a sophomore, and hitter Mallory Roney with basketball ace Britany Range, a sophomore, adding some net presence. “Size just can’t be a factor or an excuse for us because it is one of those uncontrollables. Our goal is to execute the game to the best of our abilities and be as competitive as we can possibly be.”

In 2016, Jillian Bemis was second best hitter for Prewitt with 108 kills behind graduated Hannah Roney’s 223 scoring shots. Mia Castelli, a senior, finished 2016 with 102 kills.

“One or two consistent hitters will not be enough to achieve the goals we have set for our team this season,” said Prewitt. “Our team needs to be able to come out aggressively on offense from antenna to antenna to counter balance our opponents.”

Middleburg, the district 3-7A runnerup, opened on August 21 with Tallahassee Maclay, a 4A state semifinalist in 2016 that lost to eventual state champion First Academy. For Ridgeview, who played Providence and Creekside, the front line of strong returners in Jonae Sanders and Aniya Marshall will be supplemented with newly returned Saige Rivers, who returned from Clay County to rejoin the Ridgeview team after a family military stint in Japan, adding some height and power to the front line. Libero Taylor McKenzie, a senior, offers leadership from the back line.

Ridgeview will face Fleming Island on Wed., Aug. 23 in a non-district showdown.