MIDDLEBURG - Middleburg and Ridgeview high school volleyball have opened their seasons with an impressive rugged early schedule with the future not being an easier for coaches Carrie Prewitt, with nearly 30 years under her belt, and Stephen Henry, at Ridgeview, now in his first campaign since Destiny Brightman became athletic director at Orange Park High School.

The Lady Broncos, led by power hitting sophomore Connor Rahn’s 23 kills, has wins over Clay (3-1), Orange Park (3-0) and Panama City Arnold (3-0) to open the season under long-time coach Carrie Prewitt. The Broncos had a preseason clash with Creekside at the Bishop Kenny Preseason Classic and came away with their first tough win. Taylor Mills, a senior, has 18 scoring shots.

The Lady Broncos head into yet another gauntlet schedule with Santa Fe, Ponte Vedra, Episcopal, Fletcher and Bishop Kenny on the horizon.

Ridgeview, with jumping phenom Elaina Reynolds still hovering above the net with a team-leading 20 scoring kills along with sophomore Haley Robinson, opened with a strong preseason win over Nease, but fell 3-1 to Creekside on August 24. The Panthers, with junior Joi Monsanto handling service duties, fought off a game Fleming Island squad to win a 3-1 match. The Panthers follow with Mandarin, Fletcher and Clay this week with Santa Fe, Ponte Vedra and a trip to both Fleming Island and Middleburg in late September.

Fleming Island, 0-2 under new coach Jamie Reed and assistant coach Sara Dandridge, an Orange Park High and Valdosta State Umiversity standout, is led by the 1-2 punch of Sydney Rupert’s 19 scores and Rayvin Dudones’ 18. The Lady Golden Eagles graduated a slew of talent from last year and have losses to New Smyrna Beach and Ridgeview.

Clay is 1-1 with loss to Middleburg and a 3-2 win over Bishop Snyder. The Lady Blue Devils host Fleming Island on Thurs., Sept. 2.

Orange Park is 0-2 with losses to St. Johns Country Day School and Middleburg. The Lady Raiders head to Keystone Heights on Tues., Aug. 31. Freshman Ryanne Robinson leads the Raiders with 10 scores.

St. Johns, with an unbeaten regular season last year, is 2-0 wiht wins over Orange Park and Peniel Baptist.

Keystone Heights is 2-1 with 3-0 wins over Palatka and Eastside and a loss to Newberry.

Oakleaf has a loss to Providence with Fletcher hosting the Knights on Tues., Aug. 31 and Baker County hosting on Tues., Sept. 7. Oakleaf hosts Ridgeview on Wed., Sept. 8.