Lady Raiders make state playoffs

Orange Park needed four games to defeat Fletcher in both of their regular-season volleyball match-ups, and up two games to none but trailing 18-12 in the third, it looked like the Lady Raiders were in for at least another four-set challenge Friday night in their District 1-6A semifinal game.

But Orange Park proceeded to shut down the Lady Senators and outscore them 13-2 the rest of the way, including a match-ending spike by senior Allison Riner, to win the contest, 25-11, 26-24, 25-20, and qualify for the state playoffs.

The victory also put OP in Friday's 6 p.m. championship final against the winner of Wednesday night's late match, Mandarin vs. top-seeded Gainesville Buchholz (20-5). The Lady Raiders lost twice this season to Buchholz, but Coach Amy Walker wasn't conceding the title to the Lady Bobcats.

"We're ready," Walker said. "We'll give them a fight."

Walker said her team will likely play Spruce Creek in the first round of the state playoffs next week, although there's also a possibility it could be Deland.

In other district volleyball action, St. Johns Country Day reached Thursday's 7 p.m. District 6-2A championship game at Providence with a 25-13, 26-24, 25-11 win over St. Joseph. The Lady Spartans, 14-12, will face Providence in the championship game.