Bobcats clear 1st regional test

Anna Bedford always has been a steady and productive player for the Buchholz volleyball team. But coach Jeff Reavis said the last couple of weeks have seen the senior outside hitter grow into more of a starring role.

It couldn’t have come at a better time.

With the season now a lose-and-go-home-for-good proposition, Bedford came up big for the Bobcats on Tuesday night, as they defeated visiting Tallahassee Chiles 28-26, 25-16, 25-21 in the Class 5A, Region 1 quarterfinals. They now will visit nationally ranked Tallahassee Leon in next Tuesday’s regional semifinal.

“I think she has really provided more for us as her career has come near its end,” a beaming Reavis said. “(Houston commitment) Chris (Pinder) got hurt for a while and other things have changed on the team, so there was more pressure on Anna.

“And she has responded very well.”

As did all of the Bobcats (21-8) against the Wolves (16-9).

After what Reavis called a “sloppy” first set, BHS settled down and never trailed again after being down 4-3 in the second. The Bobcats’ blocking — led by the freshmen duo of Caroline Redmond and Paola Polesi — was effective against Chiles’ brilliant junior outside hitter Lexi Weldon.

The athletic daughter of former Florida State quarterback Casey Weldon banged home seven kills in the first set, but combined for just eight more the rest of the match.

Offensively, in addition to Bedford, Pinder and Brittany Ferry combined for 19 kills, while Gigi Meyer and Jazz Maris each passed out 19 assists.

“(After the first set) I think the realization hit us that if we don’t play the best we can, that could be it for the season,” said Bedford, who is one of just three Bobcats (Maris and Pinder are the others) remaining from the 2007 Class 6A state champions. “We didn’t want our season to end.”

Contact John Patton at 352-374-5074 or pattonj@gvillesun.com.