Niceville captures 3rd straight district crown (PHOTO GALLERY, VIDEO)

NICEVILLE — Moments after winning their third straight district title on Thursday, members of the Niceville volleyball team were the picture of calm and cool as students and fans buzzed around them.

Just as they had done in the previous 25 games — all of which were wins — Niceville gathered in a circle and exchanged jokes and smiles as they stretched. Another night, another win and yet another district championship.

PHOTOS: Click here to view a photo gallery from the match.

Niceville battled from behind in each of the first two sets, claiming the winning point each time on an errant serve by visiting Mosley, and then slammed the door shut on the upset-minded Dolphins in a more one-sided third set to claim the District 2-5A tournament title and extend its season-long winning streaks to 26 games.

“It’s a sense of empowerment,” senior Jaclyn Mailoto said. “We prepared so hard this week, last week and all the weeks leading up to now.”

Mailoto had 28 assists while Delaney Bell registered a team-high 11 kills. Jenna Hassell had a team-high 17 digs while Carissa Hagberg had eight digs. Karson Hinds added seven digs and four aces. After working feverishly to improve the team’s blocking, Lindsey Schoewe had a team-high five.

Throughout the first two sets, both of which saw Niceville fall behind early, the Eagles refusal to break was evident.

Niceville took its first lead (13-12) midway through the opening set on a hitting error by Mosley, but quickly gave it right back on a serving error. The two teams went back and forth until Niceville reclaimed the lead on an errant return by Mosley. Ahead 19-18 at that point, Niceville’s lead grew to 21-18 before Mosley turned back the Eagles’ serve.

Mosley regained service and drew within three at 24-21 on a kill by Kelsey Bell, but Megan Williams’ ensuing serve failed to cross the net, giving Niceville the 25-21 set win.

In the second set, it was more of the same as Niceville fell behind early yet battled back to knot the score at 20-all on an athletic diving dig by Bell. Bell’s effort led to an attack error by Mosley that drew Niceville within one at 20-19. After the teams were knotted at 24, another Mosley service error helped lead to Niceville’s win. Niceville won the third set 25-16.

“I think that’s a huge sign of our leadership and maturity as a team,” Niceville coach Kris Hagberg. “They were extremely composed down the stretch when it really mattered. Both times I think it frustrated the other team because they just don’t let up.”