Middleton, Fla. – The Villages High School volleyball team saw its season end at the hands of a familiar foe Tuesday night in Middleton.

For the second straight year and the fifth time in the last 10 seasons, the Buffalo were bested by Lake Highland Prep in a Class 3A regional quarterfinal, falling 3-1 before a supportive crowd inside the VHS Gymnasium.

VHS battled back from a 25-19 defeat in the first set, rebounding for a thrilling 27-25 victory in the second frame. The Buffalo weren't able to hold onto a pair of leads midway through each of the third and fourth sets, however, to ultimately drop the final two frames.

Sloane Childers tallied a match-high 22 kills in the loss, while Jori Ponsford added three aces and Bailey Hunt had 16 assists.

The defeat brings to an end arguably the most successful season in VHS volleyball program history, as The Villages (20-9) established a new single-season record with 20 victories. The Buffalo also captured their first district championship since 2021 – and just the second in program history – with a sweep of Hernando back on Oct. 15.

The loss on Tuesday night also ended the longest win streak in program history, as VHS rattled off 14 consecutive wins and 33 straight sets won prior to the regional quarterfinal.


Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment at cody.hills@tvcs.org.