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Hope-led Lady Knights turn around Raiders lead

By Randy Lefko
Posted 8/29/18

OAKLEAF – Oakleaf High volleyball ace Jalana Hope answered in a crucial fifth game comeback with three blocked shots to fuel a Knights’ 3-2 win over Orange Park High in a game full of highlights …

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Hope-led Lady Knights turn around Raiders lead


Posted

OAKLEAF – Oakleaf High volleyball ace Jalana Hope answered in a crucial fifth game comeback with three blocked shots to fuel a Knights’ 3-2 win over Orange Park High in a game full of highlights on both sides.

“I hope our season is not full of five game matches,” said Oakleaf coach Jennifer Meyer. “We’ re tough though.”

Meyer, now 2-0 after a five game match win over Baker County in their season opener on Tues., Aug. 21, watched as her Knights allowed mistakes to give the Raiders the first two games.

The Raiders, with a 3-0 win over St. Johns Country Day School in their opener, were led by center hitter Avery Kinlaw, at near six foot, who was menace in deflected the hard kill shot attempts by Knights’ ace Brianna Parrett and teammate Jalana Hope.

One player that Orange Park coach Kathryn Ruelas welcomed was Middleburg transfer Macie Faucett, a libero, who made a front line change possible.

“She came here and added an element in the back that freed up Lauren Ellis to become an outside hitter,” said Ruelas. “Macie has been a great addition.”

The first match of the night went to Orange Park at 25-23 with Faucett popping three strong services with one ace to knock the Knights attack off kilter. Oakleaf had built an early 19-16 lead before Faucett’s services moved the Raiders to take the lead.

Game two was equally close, 27-25 for Orange Park, with Oakleaf again holding an early 21-17 lead before the Lady Raiders orchestrated a comeback behind Ellis serving and net play from Kaeley Kellar as the Raiders closed the gap to 23-22.

A diving save from Faucett and two scoring hits from Ellis got Orange Park the tie at 24-24 with a Kinlaw block on Parrett first then Ally Young thwarted the Knights’ finish.

In game three, Oakleaf took control to win 25-22 before the Knights dominated from the start of the critical fourth game behind inspired play from De’Jah Johnson who deftly moved the ball away from the long arms of Kinlaw on the Raider defense.

An ace and scoring slam from Johnson got a six point swing for Oakleaf that led to the 25-18 win.

In game five, Orange Park opened a quick 6-2 lead before Parrett took over with two successful spikes to get the Knights back in the game at 7-5.

Orange Park tied the game at 12-12 with Amanda Rodriguez getting a crucial block on Oakleaf outside hitter Ashlyn Eden, but Hope emerged as the probable hero with two blocks and a scoring spike to surge the Knights to a 14-13 lead before Arianna Vera served out the final point with a service ace.