Bartram nips Fleming Island in volleyball tournament

(See photo gallery on Spotted)

Fleming Island surged out to a 17-3 first-game lead in the District 3-5A tournament championship Thursday night, but it was Bartram Trail's fifth-game surge that gave the Bears the title and a first-round state playoff game next week.

The Golden Eagles will get the district runner-up playoff spot and will have to win on the road next week if they want to move up the state ladder.

Thursday night's championship match looked like it might be over quick as the Lady Eagles won the first game handily, 25-10. And Fleming Island was strong throughout the second game, too, but the Bears rallied late for a 26-24 win to even the match.

The Golden Eagles took an 18-15 advantage in the third game before the Bears tied it at 20 and scored the last five-straight points to make it 2-1, Bartram.

The two teams remained neck-n-neck in the fourth game, but Fleming Island pulled away after a 17-all tie and evened the match at two games apiece with a 25-22 win.

But the Bears, playing on their home court, rode the emotion of their boisterous crowd to a commanding 10-4 lead in the fifth and decisive contest and held on, 15-9, to win the championship.