By Chris Wilson

The high school volleyball season got off to a high-flying start for the Buchholz Bobcats, who won their first regular season contest against Class 6A-District 1 rival Orange Park. Expectations again are high for the Bobcats, who posted a 24-6 record, won a District title and advanced to the Regional finals in 2006.

At our press time, the Bobcats were getting ready for the Gatortown Classic, a tournament that Buchholz hosts with P.K. Yonge the weekend of September 7-8.

Third-year head coach Jeff Reavis says he is pleased with the way his team has started its quest for a state title. “I don’t know if we’re in midseason form yet, but we’ve definitely taken some steps in the right direction,” he explains. “We’ve got a tough schedule and we’re working hard.”

The schedule began with a tough preseason slate, with the Bobcats hosting defending Class 5A state champion Plant, which defeated Buchholz in four games, and Academy of the Holy Names, which the ‘Cats toppled in three games.

“In the preseason, we realized there were a few things we needed to work on,” says senior captain Kelsey Hodge. “We’ve really worked hard and it shows. We still need to work on our passing, but other than that I think we’re doing great.” 

In the season opener against Orange Park, Buchholz won the first two games 25-19, 25-9. The Bobcats were trailing in the third game, before tying the game at 24. However, the Raiders held on for a 26-24 win. Buchholz put the finishing touches on the match by winning game four 25-16.

Senior middle blocker Shelbey Bleke, sophomore outside hitter Christine Pinder, sophomore setter Gabby Jones and senior captain and outside hitter Kelsey Hodge all had at least three or more kills against Orange Park. Hodge posted three aces and Bleke had four aces. Senior setter Margaret Doyle led the team in assists and was key in setting up a number of the Bobcats’ points.

Reavis says the team gets  tremendous support from its captain Hodge. “She’s done a great job dealing with what everybody else is doing,” says Reavis. “It can be hard to take care of your game while you’re worrying about what everybody else is doing, but she’s really balanced that well.”

Reavis says he’s also impressed with Pinder, a sophomore, who led the team with 12 kills against Orange Park. “She’s pretty tenacious and we like that,” says Reavis.

Reavis is expecting his team to focus on the game at-hand, instead of setting goals.
 
“We lost to Winter Park in the Regional finals for two years in a row,”?says Reavis. “We just want to take care of our District first and (Orange Park) is one of the best teams in our District. So, I?think the (opening night) win sends a message that ‘we’re back’.”

Buchholz also was one of two Florida teams (along with Plant) ranked as one of the top 100 teams in the nation by the website www.prepvolleyball.com.

The Bobcats still have plenty of challenges to tackle even before getting to the District tournament. The team will travel to Orlando for games against Timber Creek and Winter Park. The ‘Cats will play a home-and-away series against Venice and will see Berkeley Prep a couple times.

“We have a great team and really great chemistry,” says Hodge. “I’m really excited. We want to win States for sure.”

The Buchholz Volleyball Booster Club will host a golf tournament on Sunday, October 21, at Meadowbrook Golf Course. Call the school at 955-6702 for more information.

Buchholz High Varsity Volleyball

Seniors: Shelbey Bleke, Margaret Doyle, Kelsey Hodge, Hillary Mesa, Ashley Skidmore, Cassidy Herring. Junior: Nicki Meyer. Sophomores: Christine Pinder, Anna Bedford, Gabby Jones, Jazz Maris, Haley Hart.