1st Round of Districts have Started (6A,4A,3A,1A)

The Killian girls' volleyball team, a three-time defending state semifinalist in Class 6A, moved to the championship round of the District 16-6A tournament Tuesday night with its 25-23, 25-19, 16-25, 25-21 win over Varela.

The Cougars clinched a berth in the regional playoffs and were led by Christina Luciano, who finished with 14 kills and 11 digs.

Killian also received a boost from Alycia Lenoble and Lauren Whisenant. Lenoble had 11 kills and Whisenant added seven kills and 18 digs.

The Cougars will face Palmetto on Thursday in the district final at Coral Reef.

MORE VOLLEYBALL

• District 15-6A (Quarterfinals) -- Sunset d. Braddock 25-21, 25-19, 22-25, 22-25, 15-13: Jovanna Santamaria led the Knights (10-12) with 52 assists, five aces, and seven digs. Lucy Perez added 29 kills and eight digs. Irina Reinoso finished with 10 kills and five aces.

• District 16-6A (Semifinals) -- Palmetto d. Coral Reef 25-18, 22-25, 25-10, 25-16: Lindsay Lewis led the Panthers (20-2) with 30 assists. Amanda Marquez had five digs and 10 kills. Michi Cebellos finished with five aces and 12 kills.

• District 16-3A -- Gulliver Prep d. Carrollton 14-25, 25-20, 25-14, 16-25, 15-10: Katie Mark led the Raiders (10-13) with nine kills, 13 digs, and two aces. Ali Carullo finished with five kills, 13 digs, and three aces. Kim Silichoke had 11 assists, eight digs, and two aces.

• District 16-4A -- Monsignor Pace d. Key West 25-27, 25-16, 25-14, 25-9: Viannca Noreiaga led the Spartans (7-11) with 10 kills, and 19 digs. Paola Blanco finished with 15 digs and 17 aces. Stephanie Mendigupia added 16 assists and two kills.

• District 15-4A -- Cardinal Gibbons d. Olympic Heights 25-9, 25-9, 25-11: Crystal Dedes led the Chiefs (24-3) with five blocks, seven kills, 11 points, and eight aces. Katie Hillman added eight blocks and five kills. Mackenzie Schward contributed five assists, four digs, 11 points, and two aces.

• District 15-1A quarterfinals -- Northwest Christian d. Champagnat 25-12, 25-20, 25-21: Monica Sapp led the Eagles (4-6) with nine kills and one block. Vanessa Valcour contributed five kills and three aces. Gabby Goodrich finished with 10 assists and three aces.