MIDDLEBURG - With senior Camden Rahn sending lightning bolts over the net and a second game string of service aces from Allie Anschuetz, Middleburg High's volleyball team took control of the district’s top seed with a 3-0 match win over Fleming Island Thursday, Sept. 25, at Carrie Prewitt Gym.

"When the game is big, the big players step up," said Middleburg coach Meredith Forkum, who improved to a deceiving 11-9 season record, compared to Fleming Island's 10-4 slate. "We have played big teams the last two weeks, and Camden has begun to take command of the team."
Middleburg bashed for wins of 25-16, 25-12 and 25-18.
With Rahn hitting the scoring strikes, it was the Broncos' defensive front, led by Kathryn White, Ally Lowery, and Gracie Bingham, that kept the Eagles' front line of Lauren Brosky, Lillie Eason, and Kaylee Clark only sporadically successful.
Rahn, who led the district 3-5A hitters in kills and was sixth in Class 5A, was on fire right from the start with flurries of scoring strikes that kept the Fleming Island backline defense on its heels.
"She is the marquis here and maybe statewide, and she proved it tonight," said Forkum. "She has been playing lights out in our last two weeks of big games. [Tallahassee] Chiles is the one team we have to figure out."
Forkum's mention of Chiles, the defending 5A champion and the top seed in 5A with just one loss in 21 games thus far, has had the best of three games against Middleburg with two regular-season games and one tournament game at Venice High's invitational last week. Chiles, ranked third in Florida, was 25-1 last year en route to their state title and may be a region playoff game for Forkum in November. Chiles' lone loss was Sept. 19 against Miami Westminster Christian Academy. Westminster was the Class 2A champion last year.
"Maybe we will see Chiles one more time; they are just a great team all around," said Forkum. "We have to play a perfect game against them."
Middleburg has another tough game ahead against Beachside, which has one loss in 16 games, to host the Broncos on Sept. 30. Beachside is ranked ninth and second behind Chiles in 5A, with Middleburg at seventh and Fleming Island at ninth before Thursday’s game.
Middleburg's final four games include Tocoi Creek, a rematch with Ponte Vedra after a 3-1 loss in early September, Bishop Kenny, and Trinity Christian Academy. Trinity Christian (14-7, 12th in 2A) gave the Broncos their first loss on Aug. 26.
Fleming Island finishes with Providence, Atlantic Coast, Santa Fe for a second time after a loss on Sept. 2, Oakleaf and Harvest Community Academy.