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Another first for Moore Haven volleyball as Terriers win regional semifinal

Moore Haven’s Tiyanni Anderson (13) battles at the night during the Terriers’ 3-1 win against Chiefland in a Rural regional semifinal Oct. 26, 2024, at Moore Haven High School. (Photo Kevin Johnson/The Seminole Tribune)

MOORE HAVEN – The best season in Moore Haven High School volleyball history keeps getting better.


Eight days after winning its first district championship, Moore Haven notched its first regional playoff victory with a 3-1 win against Chiefland in a Rural regional semifinal Oct. 26, 2024, at Moore Haven High School. Scores were 25-16, 17-25, 25-17, 25-16.


“I’m super proud of them. They’ve worked really hard and they’ve come a long way,” said Moore Haven coach Mona Baker, whose team (16-2) has seven Seminoles, including her daughter Preslynn.

Moore Haven’s Preslynn Baker goes up against two Chiefland players in the Rural regional semifinal Oct. 26, 2024, at Moore Haven High School. (Kevin Johnson photo/The Seminole Tribune)


Moore Haven, seeded No. 1 in its region, will host No. 2 Williston on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. in a regional final. The winner will advance to the state semifinals Nov. 4 at Polk State College in Winter Haven.

Chiefland, the fourth seed, had a 250-mile journey from west of Gainesville to Moore Haven.

Chiefland led the fourth set 8-3, but Moore Haven rallied to knot it at 12-12, and then Tiyanni Anderson’s serving took control of the rest of the match. Anderson delivered five aces as Moore Haven surged to a 24-12 lead, and clinched the victory a few points later.


Anderson, from the left side, also had a big night hitting as she and Akeelah Ling, from the right side, led the Terriers in kills. The team’s depth and versatility shined with kills from others, including Preslynn Baker, Brooklyn Sergent and Miley Jimmie.


The wins in the first and third sets were highlighted by several points won during strong serves from Kulipa Julian. Defensively, Baker, Jimmie, Ling and Tahnia Billie combined for blocks, and Anderson, Julian and Truley Osceola shined in the backcourt.


Coach Baker said her team was nervous hours before the match, but settled down after some team bonding before the doors opened. Now, the Terriers are one win away from reaching their first Final Four.


“They want it all. They want every first they can get,” she said.

The Moore Haven bench cheer on their teammates in the Rural regional semifinal against Chiefland on Oct. 26, 2024, at Moore Haven High School. (Photo Kevin Johnson/The Seminole Tribune)
Moore Haven’s Brooklyn Sergent delivers a powerful hit in Terriers’ 3-1 win against Chiefland in a Rural regional semifinal Oct. 26, 2024, at Moore Haven High School. (Photo Kevin Johnson/The Seminole Tribune)
Moore Haven’s Kulipa Julian delivers a serve in the Terriers’ 3-1 win against Chiefland in a Rural regional semifinal Oct. 26, 2024, at Moore Haven High School. (Photo Kevin Johnson/The Seminole Tribune)
Moore Haven’s Akeelah Ling (3) and Tahnia Billie attempt a block in the Terriers’ 3-1 win against Chiefland in a Rural regional semifinal Oct. 26, 2024, at Moore Haven High School. (Photo Kevin Johnson/The Seminole Tribune)
Moore Haven’s Preslynn Baker (7), Akeelah Ling (3) and Miley Jimmie (17) celebrate a point in the Terriers’ 3-1 win against Chiefland in a Rural regional semifinal Oct. 26, 2024, at Moore Haven High School. (Photo Kevin Johnson/The Seminole Tribune)
Kevin Johnson
Kevin Johnson is senior editor. He has worked for The Seminole Tribune since 2014. He was previously an editor, photographer and reporter for newspapers in Southwest Florida and Connecticut. Contact Kevin at kevinjohnson@semtribe.com.
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