Niceville ousts Mosley in Region 1-6A volleyball semifinal

LYNN HAVEN — The fourth volleyball meeting this season between Mosley and Niceville on Tuesday carried the most significance and went the way of the Eagles in a hard-fought battle.

Niceville held off Mosley 25-20, 15-25, 25-22, 24-26, 15-13 in the Region 1-6A semifinal at the Jim Redfern Gymnasium. The Eagles (15-5) advanced to play Tallahassee Leon in Saturday’s regional final. Mosley finished its season 24-4 and fell short of advancing to the regional final for the first time.

The fifth set was tight throughout, with neither team taking more than a two-point lead. Mosley held three one-point leads down the stretch, its last 13-12 on Deanna Canfield’s kill.

Monica Johnson, the influential and powerful force along the net for Niceville, tied the set 13-13 with a kill. Kayla Henrie added another kill to stake Niceville to a 14-13 lead. Canfield, Mosley’s hardest hitter, spiked the ball but it sailed out of bounds to end the match.

The Dolphins squandered an opportunity to change the complexion of the match in the first set. Paced by a raucous home crowd, Mosley ran out to an 11-4 lead on the strength of big hits from Canfield and Rachel Skibba. Niceville stiffened, however, and fought through two four-point deficits to tie the set 19-19 on Shelby Russell’s kill.

Niceville went ahead in the set on a Skibba mishit at the net and moved out to a 21-19 advantage on another Mosley miscue. Mosley drew to within 21-20, but Niceville put the set away with four straight points, including three on the service of Hannah Noon.

Mosley was dominant in the second set to stay alive in the match. Mosley led only twice in the third set, as Niceville maintained poise despite a close set to take control.

The Dolphins weathered the Eagles in the fourth set, which was tied six times in the final 15 trips to the service line. Russell’s kill provided the final tie at 24-24. However, a Niceville serve into the net and an errant attempt by Russell out of bounds provided the stage for the deciding set.

The teams split the season series 2-2. Niceville won both meetings at the Redfern Gymnasium. Mosley won on the road and also in the District 2-6A championship match in Crestview.