Chiles volleyball wins back-to-back district titles, 5 Big Bend programs claim district gold

It was a busy Thursday night across the Big Bend as nine volleyball programs competed for District Championships, with six squads finishing as champions.

Chiles continued its dominant season, winning a second straight Class 6A District 2 title, Aucilla Christian made it two straight, North Florida Christian snapped St. John Paul II's title win streak, Lincoln won its first district title in over a decade and Florida High won its first since 2019.

Here's how area teams got it done.

Chiles sweep Leon 3-0, second straight district title

Chiles 3-0 Leon: 25-14, 25-9, 25-19

Back-to-back for the Timberwolves.

Facing district rival Leon for the first time this season, Chiles swept the visiting Lions en route to a second straight 6A District 2 title. Timberwolves head coach Kaitlin Jahn said her squad established itself as one of the top in its district last season and wanted to defend the crown this year.

"Last year we put ourselves back out there again to be one of the top contenders in our district," Jahn said. "This year, it was just about keeping that energy and defending that all year."

Leading the way for the Timberwolves' repeat were Delaney Scott-Hanowell, Kaylin Johnson, Kate Stewart and Natalie Gibson. Scott-Hannowell feels last season's experience winning districts has helped boost the team's belief this year heading further into the playoffs.

"I have way more faith in this team than I think I did last year," Scott-Hannowell said. "I have more confidence than I did last season going into districts and playoffs later on, and I'm excited to see what we can do."

The senior was a key figure in both district titles and has been one of the top players in the Big Bend. Scott-Hannowell, who had eight kills and one block against Leon, says something that has helped the Timberwolves this season has been the team's energy on the court.

"Our team is really good about creating energy off the bench, on the court, and just being everywhere," Scott-Hannowell said. "We all support each other throughout."

With the majority of the team coming back next season, with Scott-Hannowell and Johnson graduating, Jahn feels like the early experience of winning for her younger players is great for the future of the program.

"What's nice about our young group is that they got to win a district championship as freshmen and now as sophomores," Jahn said. "Hopefully they'll also realize the importance of winning it and defending it all the way through."

Now the Timberwolves focus shifts ahead toward regionals.

"Even though we're winning we still have a lot of room to grow and a lot of options that we can use," Jahn said. "So continuing to do that and getting better every game is the goal."

Chiles will likely host its opening regional game on Wednesday, Oct. 25, with Jahn wanting her team to continue to improve throughout the postseason. Leon will also likely make it to the regional rounds, but will likely hit the road for regional play.

Chiles Stat Leaders: Kills: Kate Stewart and Lindsay Smith (12), Kaylin Johnson (9), Delaney Scott-Hanowell (8), Aces: Natalie Gibson and Meg Hearn (3), Smith (2), Blocks: Gaby Harnden, Johnson, Stewart (2), Digs: Holly Sanders (13), Gibson (10), Stewart (8), Assists: Gibson (34), Sanders (3)

Lincoln sweep Vanguard, win first title since 2011

Lincoln 3-0 Vanguard: 25-12, 25-11, 25-18

For the first time in 12 years, Lincoln is the 5A District 2 champion.

Sweeping Vanguard 3-0 on Thursday night, the Trojans historic season will continue into the regional rounds of the state tournament. Alli Tawney and Ashlyn Koerner had standout performances for the Trojans against Vanguard, with Tawney recording a team-high 20 kills and Koerner providing 41 assists for the Trojans hitters to spike home.

Led by its program-changing senior class of Tawney, Korener, Lauren Taylor Lozano and Sydney Carroll, Lincoln awaits to see what is next for the team, with the Trojans having a chance at hosting its first-round regional game next week.

Lincoln Stat Leaders: Kills: Tawney (20), Avery Banks (9), Keelah Chambliss (7), Aces: Tawney and Lauren Taylor Lozano (2), Kenzie Poppell (1), Blocks: Bella Dougherty, Koerner and Banks (2), Digs: Lozano (23), Poppell (11), Riley Perezluha and Koerner (9), Assists: Koerner (41)

Florida High sweeps Maclay, first district title since 2019

Florida High 3-0 Maclay: 25-13, 25-7, 25-13

The Seminoles are district champions for the first time in four years after sweeping Maclay at Bob Albertson Gym in Southwood. Led by Kenzie Hultquist, Amelia Wass de czege and Eva Goodson, Florida High heads into the regional rounds knowing it will be hosting its regional games as the Seminoles go deeper into the postseason.

Maclay may end up on the outside looking in for regional play, with the program waiting for Saturday's decision day to see if it'll have at least one more game this season.

Florida High Stat Leaders: Kills: Eva Goodson (11), Kenzie Hultquist (10), Aces: Hultquist (5), Taylor Cook (2), Blocks: Wass de czege (5), Digs: Hultquist (14), Gabby Kellogg (9), Goodson (8), Assists: Hultquist (13), Goodson (10), Kellogg (8)

Aucilla Christian beat Hilliard, second straight district title

The Warriors win a second straight 1A District 5 title as the program looks to get back into the regional finals. Aucilla Christian's jump from 2A to 1A has been fruitful and the Warriors will look to add more hardware in the regional rounds of the state tournament.

North Florida Christian beats St. John Paul II for 2A District 1 title

For the first time since 2019, there is a new champion in 2A District 1 volleyball as NFC beat JPII to snap the Panther district win streak at three. The Eagles will advance into the regional rounds with its district win, with JPII hoping that it will get one more game after Saturday's FHSAA selection show.

First-year NFC head coach Amanda Simpson wins a district title with the Eagels in her debut campaign. Her Eagles squad came back from two sets down and a 9-1 fifth set hole to win the district title.

Wakulla beats Baker County, claims 4A District 2 title

Wakulla 3-2 Baker County: 15-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-18, 15-9

It was a tight one but the War Eagles came back from down two sets to claim the 4A District 2 title, beating Baker County. Wakulla lost to the Wildcats last season in five sets, but this year it was the War Eagles' time to raise the hardware.

Heading back to Crawfordville with the title, Wakulla awaits its regional opponent announcement, finding out its next opponent on Saturday.

Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Big Bend volleyball programs win district championships