JUPITER - His team needed four games to defeat Boca Raton about a month ago, and Jupiter coach Blane Betz anticipates an equally close match tonight when his Warriors square off against the Bobcats again.
There will be much more at stake this time, however, as they will meet for the District 9-6A title.
"I told the girls that tomorrow night's not going to be any easier," Betz said after Jupiter ended Park Vista's season with a hard-fought 25-20, 20-25, 25-17, 25-18 victory in the district semifinals. "They're much better now than they were then."
Boca Raton (17-6) proved that in the other semifinal with an impressive 25-16, 25-12, 25-15 win against Royal Palm Beach.
"We were really fired up and we really wanted to take it to them right at the start of the match," Boca Raton coach Amanda Angermeier said. "Our serving was phenomenal."
So was the serving of Jupiter, especially sophomore Morgan Lear, who had 10 aces and 16 service points.
"Morgan Lear and her serving is the main reason we stayed alive," Betz said. "I didn't know what to expect [from Park Vista] because we didn't play them this year. We were just swinging away at the start of the match."
Senior setter Brittany Lear also played a key role for Jupiter (19-7) by contributing 41 assists, 15 digs and six kills. Jordan Fiser and Megan Higgins had 15 and 11 kills, respectively, for Jupiter.
Boca Raton was led by senior Julia Schade, who had 24 assists, and sophomore Shannon Gregorek, who had seven kills. Junior Sofia Ellingsworth had 10 service points, including four aces for the Bobcats.
Park Vista coach Ira Hubschman said he believes this district is as strong as any in the state in Class 6A and would not be surprised if either Boca Raton or Jupiter makes it to the state finals.
"Royal Palm did it last year coming out of this district, and I think Boca or Jupiter can do the same," Hubschman said. "It's a shame all four of us are in the same district."
Jupiter will be trying to win the district title for the eighth time in nine years.
Copyright © 2009, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Photos: Send Playoff-Action photos to: volleyballreport@gmail.com and we will post them.
No comments:
Post a Comment