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 took control of the top seed of district 3-5A with a 3-0 match win over Fleming Island on Thursday, Sept. 25 at Middleburg High's 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 as 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 Bronco defensive front led by Kathryn White, Ally Lowery and Gracie Bingham that kept Fleming Island's front line of Lauren Brosky, Lillie Eason and Kaylee Clark only sporadically successful.

"We definitely struggled on serve receives," said Fleming Island coach Amy Yoder. "We have seen what they can do, now we adjust and get them ready to hopefully see them again in districts in a mutual location."

Rahn opened the contest with four thunderous kills to set the tone and ignite the frenzied gym, putting the Broncos up by as much as 13-4 before Fleming Island could catch their breath.

Fleming Island senior hitter Lauren Brosky gave her best shots to close the game, but the score finished at 25-16. 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 all night.

"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. Chiles is the one team we have to figure out."

Game two was no let up as the Broncos barraged the net for a 7-0 start and a 25-12 finish led by eight seven straight service points from Anschuetz, creating backline errors by Fleming Island's defenders.

Game three looked like Yoder said something in the team huddle to light a fire to her team as Eason and Brosky were dominating the nets to get the score as close as 21-18. Middleburg closed the match at 25-18 with hard serves from Chloe McWatters and Hannah Gorneault.

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 better of three games against Middleburg with two regular season games and one tournament game at Venice High's invite last week.

Chiles, third-ranked in all of Florida with Middleburg not in the top 25, 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 Westminster Christian School out of Miami. 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."

Forkum had one more headache ahead of her with Beachside, who hosted the Broncos on Sept. 30. Beachside is ninth ranked in all Florida 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 second game 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—a second time after a loss on Sept. 2, Oakleaf and Harvest Community School.

Around the county last week, Keystone Heights (13-5) got wins over Clay and Orange Park, but a second loss to Union County. The Lady Indians saw Newberry on Sept. 30 and Palatka on Oct. 2. They will play Hawthorne and Interlachen on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7, with a road trip to Clay finishing the season.

Clay (9-11) finished the week at 2-2 with wins over Baker County and Crescent City, sandwiched around losses to Ridgeview and Newberry. The Blue Devils have Orange Park, St. Johns Country Day School and Keystone Heights to finish their season.

St. Johns (6-8) ended a four-game losing skid with a win over Global Outreach, 3-0, before the weekend. The Spartans have three road games: Beaches Chapel, Ridgeview and Clay with Orange Park a home season finale.

Orange Park (3-15) beat St. Augustine 3-2 for their third win with a loss to Keystone Heights last week. The Raiders finish with a flurry of five games: Bishop Snyder, Ridgeview, Clay, Nease and St. Johns Country Day School.

Oakleaf (8-8) had a three-game win streak with Nease, Baker County and Orange Park. The team snapped the streak in a 3-2 loss to Bartram Trail last week.

"I think my team will compete very well during districts," said Oakleaf coach Jamie Reed. "We have a very talented group of athletes who are learning to work together.  We have young underclassmen who are stepping up to the plate, like Karlie Gilley who is averaging 8-10 kills per game. The seniors want to leave a legacy."

The Knights had Bolles on Oct. 2 and a Friday-Saturday JJVA Block Cancer tournament in Jacksonville. They play Fleming Island, Andrew Jackson and Ridgeview to finish their season.