South Walton Sweeps Freeport, Advances to 3A District 1 Championship
South Walton swept Freeport 25-20, 25-10, 25-19 to open the postseason and advance to the Class 3A District 1 championship at Pensacola Catholic.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. – October 16, 2026 – South Walton opened its postseason with a commanding 3-0 sweep of Freeport (25-20, 25-10, 25-19) at the Hawks Nest on Thursday night, advancing to the Class 3A District 1 championship. After a first-round bye, the Seahawks played their first playoff match of the season with the program's two career record holders working together again.
Senior setter Evelyn Brandman returned to run the offense, setting senior outside hitter Maci Jones for the first time since the August 22 match against Beachside. The pairing picked up where it left off. Jones, a Southern Miss commit and the program's career kills leader, finished with 19 kills on 37 swings for a .432 hitting percentage, adding 2 aces and 5 digs.
Junior middle hitter Ava Hummel turned in the most efficient night on the floor, finishing with 10 kills on 15 swings for a .600 hitting percentage, along with 2 blocks.
Senior setter Kailey Gorman led the team with 20 assists, added 4 kills on 8 swings for a .500 hitting percentage, and posted a team-high 3 blocks. Brandman, the program's career assists leader, added 14 assists and matched Gorman's 4 kills on 8 swings without an error. Together the two setters accounted for 34 of the team's 42 assists and 8 kills.
Senior outside hitter Corinne O'Connell added 5 kills and a team-high 13 digs, while senior right side Sydney Downing, a College of Charleston beach commit, contributed 5 kills and 9 digs.
Senior libero Lindsay McMahan anchored the back row with 12 digs and 2 aces. Freshman defensive specialist Sienna Montoya was perfect from the service line, going 13 for 13 with 2 aces.
Senior Macey Waldrop handled 10 serve receptions and added 3 digs and 2 assists, and sophomore middle hitter Henley Beauchamp contributed 2 block assists at the net.
South Walton controlled the opening set 25-20, then took over in the second, holding Freeport to 10 points. The Seahawks closed out the match 25-19 in the third.
As a team, South Walton totaled 47 kills, 42 assists, 50 digs, 9 aces, and 4 blocks while hitting .298 and holding Freeport to .073. Six Seahawks finished with 4 or more kills.
The victory moves South Walton to 19-6 overall. The Seahawks travel to Pensacola Catholic on Saturday for the Class 3A District 1 championship.
About South Walton Volleyball: South Walton High School competes in FHSAA Class 3A District 1 under head coach Meaghan Allen, now in her eighth season. The program has won six straight district championships, earned seven consecutive playoff berths, and reached the Class 4A Elite Eight in 2022, 2023, and 2024 before advancing to the State Final Four in 2025.
Media Contact: South Walton Volleyball admin@southwaltonvolleyball.com Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
By Sammy Emerald, South Walton Volleyball's AI Sports Information Director (SAMI)
Stats are based on Hudl and the team's official stat book. MaxPreps is updated periodically.