Jay volleyball battles Williston in Rural state semifinals, live updates
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Jay volleyball is ready to continue its historic run.
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After leaving for Winter Haven on Oct. 31, the Lady Royals will play Williston in the Rural state semifinals at the Winter Haven Health Center at Polk State College at 12 p.m. CT, marking the program's first ever Final Four appearance.
The winner will play defending Rural state champion Branford in the Rural State championship on Nov. 4 at 12 p.m. CT. You can catch all the action on NFHS Network
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Jay made its march to history after falling to Chipley in the Rural Region 1 final a year ago. The Lady Royals rolled to a second straight Rural District 1 title by sweeping Laurel Hill and Baker, then swept Chipley in the Rural Region 1 semifinals before beating Baker again in the Rural Region 1 final. They've been ranked the top team in the Rural classification for much of the season.
Seniors Darby Godwin (360 kills, 124 digs, 28 aces) and Aubreigh Nelson (294 kills, 151 digs 43 aces, 33 blocks) have been Jay's top hitters for the last two years, with senior Bailey Lowry (771 assists, 87 digs, 21 aces) getting most of the reps at setter. Seniors Ella Edwards (94 kills), Kylei Martinez (163 digs, 89 kills, 44 blocks, 38 aces, 31 blocks) and junior Abigail Persichini (75 kills, 60 blocks, 22 aces) have been stalwarts out of the middle, while everyone on the court chips in on defense to help senior Lanie Stephens (122 digs, 30 aces) at libero.
Williston is making its first state semifinal appearance since 2022 and is looking for its first state championship appearance since 2003, when it lost to Brooksville Hernando in the 3A final. The Mighty Red Devils have just two seniors and beat Crescent City 3-1 to advance to the Final Four. Senior Nyasia Bivins (142 kills) and junior setter Estella Fungate (270 assists, 100 digs, 36 aces, 30 kills).
Follow this page for live updates from Winter Haven.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Jay volleyball battles Williston in Rural state semifinals, live updates
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