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Oakleaf volleyball opens at 4-0

Randy Lefko
Posted 8/31/17

OAKLEAF – Oakleaf High volleyball has improved in the last two years primarily due to the spirited coaching of Jennifer Meyer and assistant coach Scott Conklin what have brought a spirit of …

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Oakleaf volleyball opens at 4-0


Posted

OAKLEAF – Oakleaf High volleyball has improved in the last two years primarily due to the spirited coaching of Jennifer Meyer and assistant coach Scott Conklin what have brought a spirit of challenge to the girls on the Knights’ net squad who sit undefeated in their first three matches of 2017.

“This year’s team is led by nine seniors,” said Meyer. “Their work ethic is completely different from years past. We have more girls that are hungry for the win.”

Meyer took down two-time district 4-6A champion Ridgeview High last week in five games; 25-16, 24-26, 19-25, 25-19 and 15-5, to put the Lady Knights on the richter scale in the very tough district 4-8A which features Creekside, BartramTrail, Fleming Island and Buchholz, all perennial region playoff teams with strong annual programs. The Ridgeview win was the first time Oakleaf has beaten Ridgeview in volleyball.

Note: Oakleaf defeated Trinity Christian on Mon., Aug. 28 in three games to push to 4-0 with a home match against Mandarin on Tues., Aug. 29.

“We got ourselves in a hole against Ridgeview in sets two and three, but my girls were determined not to give up,” said Meyer. “We have been talking and working on that a lot and it is showing.”

The Lady Knights, with earlier 3-0 wins over Baker County and Orange Park, now sit at 4-0, a first time with an unbeaten season record.

“Against Baker County, I believe the girls finally realized the potential they have if they play as one,” said Meyer. “They said it felt good to win.”

Earlier in the same week, the Knights took down district 4-6A’s Orange Park High in three games with dominating performances from senior blocker Challaya Campbell who patrols the center of the net while teammate Bryanna Parrett, with 23 kills, flies in from the outside corners with bruising scoring hits. Campbell has averaged 7-10 blocks per match for the Knights.

“Jalana Hope and Challaya Campbell have really stepped up to the plate with their aggressiveness at the net,” said Meyer.

On the back line, libero standout Andrea Merced, a senior, returns to keep the work up front after leading the Lady Knights last year to a year of respectability in their tough district.

“My two setters; Alexa Ward and Brooke Buckley have also began to lead the team with being more confident,” said Meyer. “Defensively, Andrea Merced, with 32 digs against Ridgeview, and Kaiti Knudson have made a tremendous impact. Alexa Ward leads the team in service aces.”

Senior Brooke Buckley adds a second hitter off the corner with freshman Jalana Hope showing good net presence in the Knights’ win over Orange Park.

“We are in one of the toughest districts in the state but are more than willing and ready to put up our strongest fight of school history,” said Meyer.