The “Real Championship” : Chiles vs. Beachside Thriller
In this article:
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong> “The Match Everyone Called the Real Championship”</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The regional semifinal between Chiles High School and Beachside High School wasn't just a match—it was a five-set thriller that had every fan on edge. With Chiles entering with a 28 – 1 record, the energy inside the gym was electric. Parents and students packed the stands, chanting in unison, while Beachside's 24 traveling parents proudly waved Pom-Poms after making the 2.5-hour drive to Tallahassee. Two teams, loaded with experience and confidence, took the court ready to battle for a ticket to the Final Four.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:image {"id":899909,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/jgj02081.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-899909" /></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>From the first whistle, it was clear Beachside came prepared. They executed a flawless game plan—steady in serve receive, aggressive at the net, and composed in transition. Every time Chiles started to climb back, number 16 [player_tooltip player_id='519230' first='Ailanni' last='Sellers'] had an answer. Her solo shutdown blocks came at clutch moments, halting the Timberwolves' rhythm and silencing their home crowd. Point by point, Beachside stayed ahead at 5, 10, 15, 20, and finally 25, taking the first set 25–20 and setting the tone early.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:image {"id":899910,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/jgj02118-crop-886x582-1761948513.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-899910" /></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>But if the first set belonged to Beachside, the second was a complete Chiles takeover. With Lindsay Smith, [player_tooltip player_id='334375' first='Eva' last='Goodson'], and Loganne<strong> </strong>Abernathy locked in, Chiles came out blazing. Their serves found every seam, forcing Beachside into scramble mode. Smith, Chiles' top offensive threat, dominated from every zone—outside, middle, and even the back row. The result? A statement win, 25–9, that reminded everyone why Chiles was last year's 5A State Champs.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:image {"id":899911,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/jgj02207-crop-797x524-1761948584.jpg?w=796" alt="" class="wp-image-899911" /></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Momentum swung wildly again in set three, as both teams traded leads like it was a highlight reel. Fans were literally sweating—parents pacing, biting their nails, and shouting every call. Beachside refused to back down, and Sellers once again sparked momentum with key blocks, while [player_tooltip player_id='333125' first='Adriana' last='Jeanpierre'] fought through a tough Chiles defense to keep her squad alive. In a heart-pounding finish, Beachside edged out the set 25–23, reclaiming the lead and silencing the home crowd once more.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:image {"id":899908,"scale":"cover","sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"none","align":"center"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/jgj02144.jpg?w=252" alt="" class="wp-image-899908" style="object-fit:cover" /></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->
<!-- wp:image {"id":899908,"width":"275px","height":"0px","scale":"cover","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/jgj02144.jpg?w=862" alt="" class="wp-image-899908" style="object-fit:cover;width:275px;height:0px" /></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>With everything on the line, set four was a must-win for Chiles. And they played like it. Lindsay Smith went full takeover mode—delivering aces, crushing kills, and outsmarting triple blocks with sharp angles and perfect timing. Her versatility across positions—outside, middle, right side—made her practically unstoppable. Chiles fed off her fire, dominating the set 25–11 and forcing the fifth and final showdown.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:image {"id":899905,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"none","align":"center"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/jgj02136.jpg?w=223" alt="" class="wp-image-899905" /></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Set five was pure adrenaline. Every rally felt like it could decide the match, and both benches were on their feet. But Chiles' composure and depth took over. While Beachside relied heavily on Jeanpierre's leadership and athleticism, Chiles' balanced attack from Goodson, Abernathy, and Smith proved too much to handle. The Timberwolves sealed the victory 15–9, punching their ticket to the Final Four.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>When the final point dropped, the gym erupted. Players embraced, fans screamed, and even opposing parents applauded. This wasn't just a semifinal—it was, as many in the stands whispered, <em>“the real State Championship.”</em> Both teams left everything on the court, but the Wolfpack moved onto the next round.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
“The Match Everyone Called the Real Championship”
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in
