Fueled by a strong defensive effort spearheaded by Class 5A Player of the Year Hannah Ottley, Mosley volleyball defeated Choctawhatchee in straight sets (25-12, 25-15, 25-9) for the program's first district championship since 2021 on Thursday night.
However, it hasn't just been individual performances that have been key to Mosley's impressive, district title-winning run, but rather a cohesive group effort from an iron-clad collective of seniors.
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"I have such a special senior class that is really close and have been friends since childhood and have really stuck together," Mosley head coach Michelle Mask said. "The amazing thing is we only had one or two starters come back from last year along with transfers and kids moving up, so this has been a unique year."
The Dolphins are set to host a playoff game next week, presenting a favorable opportunity for this experienced team eager to replicate the 2021 state championship-winning season.
"We are fired up and ready to host on Wednesday," Mask said.
#1 North Bay Haven (20-3) vs. Pensacola Catholic (14-14)
The Buccaneers defeated the Crusaders (25-22, 25-20, 26-24) for the Class 3A-District 1 championship on Thursday.
North Bay Haven has been on a historic pace, dropping only 11 sets this season and going unopposed in district play. Head coach Emersonn Cabatu attributes the dominance to the sheer belief of the girls in not only themselves but each other.
"The girls have really absorbed, learned and accepted coaching and have really taken on the impression that they want to get better," Cabatu said. "Losing nine girls coming into the season we knew we would have to scrap it out and the team chemistry just can not be beat right now."
This season, North Bay Haven's three losses are to South Walton (twice) and UMS-Wright Prep (Mobile, AL). The Buccaneers will now turn their attention to hosting a playoff game with their eyes on repeating and exceeding last year's Sweet-16 appearance.
(This story was updated to add new photo or video.)
Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1 .
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County volleyball: Mosley, North Bay Haven clinch district titles in dominant fashion
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