Fleming Island's girls volleyball team finished the regular season 20-3 and ranked No. 2 in Northeast Florida, giving the Golden Eagles momentum heading into this week's Florida High School Athletic Association district tournament.

The ranking, published Friday, Oct. 9, in Duval Sports' final D1 Top 25 rankings, represents a significant improvement for a program that finished 19-8 last season.

Only Beachside, which finished 22-3, ranked ahead of Fleming Island in the regional poll.

The Golden Eagles, coached by Amy Yoder, closed their regular season Thursday, Oct. 8, with a three-set sweep of Tocoi Creek. Their late-season run included victories over Ponte Vedra, Trinity Christian, Middleburg, Wolfson and Episcopal.

Eason, Brosky lead Golden Eagles' attack

Junior outside hitter Lillie Eason leads Fleming Island with 348 kills, averaging 4.5 per set, according to MaxPreps' team statistics.

Senior Lauren Brosky has contributed 263 kills and leads the team with a .384 hitting percentage.

Senior middle blocker Kaylee Clark has recorded 61 blocks and a .360 hitting percentage, giving Fleming Island another presence at the net.

The Golden Eagles' offensive production was on display during a four-set victory over Middleburg on Sept. 22, when Eason recorded 21 kills, a school record at the time, Clay Today reported.

"I read the eyes of the hitters and react," Clark told Clay Today after the match. "We all play our parts."

Yoder credited the victory to a team effort and said it marked her first win over Middleburg as a head coach.

Defense, serving add to postseason strengths

Fleming Island's production extends beyond its hitters.

Junior libero Addison Blom leads the team with 386 digs, averaging 5.1 per set.

Senior setter Moe'ono'ono Aseta has recorded a team-high 54 service aces, while sophomore setter Shelby Jackson leads the Golden Eagles with 475 assists. Aseta has contributed another 332 assists.

The combination of attacking, serving and back-row defense helped Fleming Island improve on last season's 19-8 record.

Duval Sports writer Andre Ellis highlighted Fleming Island's rise in the regional rankings, noting that the publication had placed the Golden Eagles at No. 1 earlier in the season.

The final ranking puts Fleming Island immediately behind Beachside entering postseason play.

District tournament begins this week

FHSAA district volleyball tournaments began Monday, Oct. 12, and continue through Friday, Oct. 16.

Fleming Island is scheduled to begin tournament play Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 6:30 p.m., according to the Jacksonville.com district tournament preview.

District champions earn automatic berths in the state tournament, with additional postseason berths determined through the FHSAA's qualifying procedures.

The state championship tournament is scheduled for November in Winter Haven.

Fleming Island enters the postseason seeking to turn its 20-win regular season into a deep playoff run.