Baker, Niceville, Rocky Bayou all host playoff volleyball matches

There’s no denying or hiding the anticipation members of the Baker volleyball team have for Wednesday night’s Class 2A regional quarterfinal match against Sneads.

It was just last season that Sneads ended the Gators’ magical run under then first-year head coach Lisa Roy with a five-set thriller that left both sides exhausted, both mentally and physically.

This time around, the homestanding Gators (16-2) are out for revenge.

“We’re out for vindication,” Roy said. “Sneads is the one that knocked us out last year. We’ve talked about last year. You can’t spend too much time on the past but we can learn from it and we know we shouldn’t have lost.

“We’re looking forward to playing like we can and moving on to the next stage.”

Tonight, both Rocky Bayou Christian (14-9) and Niceville (26-0) will look to do just that as each hosts a regional quarterfinal of their own. Both matches are set to start at 7 p.m.

Coming off its second District 1-A title last week, Rocky Bayou hosts Munroe while Niceville welcomes Tate in a 5A matchup.

For the Knights, tonight’s tilt could hang on how much improvement the team has made in terms of serving and attacking off an opponent’s serve since last week’s win.

“We’ve had some highs and lows there,” coach Lisa Eaves said. “That’s been an area that we’ve focused on and it’s gotten better. I feel like if you can attack off the serve and get your offense started from the beginning, it sets a tone for the rest of that rally.”

In tearing through district play to the tune of a perfect 8-0 record, Eaves believes her squad has taken on a sense of calm that should prove beneficial as the Knights hope to extend their march into the postseason. Playing in front of the home crowd and a group of Rocky Bayou students known affectionately as “The Peanut Gallery” should also help.

“It’s always an advantage,” Eaves said.

Despite Niceville’s gleaming record, Eagles coach Kris Hagberg has reminded her team that now is not the time to reflect on one’s past accomplishments. As Niceville readies for Tate, Hagberg said the focus has remained the same as it has all season long: a one-game-at-a-time approach.

It’s a mindset that has served the Eagles well thus far.

“I don’t think we can look back at our 26-0 record at this point because it’s a new season,” Hagberg said. “We have to look to each game. I do know they have some pretty lofty goals and they would like to continue playing.”