Today three teams took the long bus drive to Lakeland FL. Each team is faced with the excitement of competing for the state championship and the nervousness of knowing it can all end in three sets. The suddenness of the playoffs is what makes them so special.
One can only hope that they enjoy every-bit of this experience, because win or loose they are still South Florida's champions.
On Friday the 20th three more teams will face off with the best teams from the rest of Florida in the State Semifinals. All of our teams are facing extremely difficult opposition. But all of the teams are up to the task at hand.
6A - Boca Raton vs. Winter Park
The Boca Raton girls' volleyball team finds itself in uncharted territory when it faces Winter Park in the Class 6A state semifinals at The Lakeland Center Friday.
Making the school's first appearance in the state final four, Boca comes in red hot having won 16 of its 17 matches.
"We're a quick tempo type of team," said Coach Terri Kaiser, who has led the Defenders to the state tournament nine times in 23 seasons.
Winter Park is energised cy Camille "The Beast" Indest. Indest, who earned the nickname from teammates for her spirited celebrations where she briefly stares down opponents and cheers after a monster kill.
"We feed off of her energy," said Winter Park setter Katelin Henry. "She's a main part of our success."
Match Breakdown: Winter Park possesses and team with strong senior leadership. They are both tall and athletic. Boca will need to have a strong defensive effort to advance to the State Championship.
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6A - Ferguson vs. Plant
The Ferguson team knows they have their work cut out for them as they face the 9th ranked team in the nation. But if you ask the coach and every player they''ll let you know that they are there to win.
Although this is Ferguson's first year in the State Semifinals the Seniors should not be intimidated as they have competed and won in Orlando and Atlanta with their club team: The South Florida Flyers. It's up to those seniors and for Coach Shanower to make sure the team stays loose and yet focused.
``We have a tough test ahead of us, but I would love nothing more than to return with a trophy,'' Shanower said.
Plant coach Leanna Taylor said her team's experience in the state tournament will be an advantage. The Panthers have won the last three 5A state titles and are seeking their first 6A crown. "It's going to be like home court for them," Taylor said. Penn State-bound outside hitter Maddie Martin and Duke-bound libero Ali McCurdy will look to win their fourth consecutive state title as varsity players. Martin leads Plant with 347 kills while McCurdy leads the defense, and Hillsborough County, with 444 digs. Senior setter Becca Howard leads Hillsborough County with 840 assists. Plant, the nation's ninth-ranked team, hasn't lost a postseason game in three years.
Match Breakdown: Will Plant's confidence get the best of them or will they shine as they have in past years. One thing is for sure - Ferguson is there to win and if Plants not careful they might just be packing up to go home tomorrow afternoon.
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2A - Westminster Academy vs. First Academy:
Westminster Academy is no stranger to competing in important matches, nor being an underdog in a match. Just last week, few gave Westminster a chance to advance past Palmer Trinity.
Just as Coach Katie McCrath prepared her team to play it's game and to defeat Palmer, now she must prepare her team to raise the bar a bit higher to defeat last years 2A Champions. With Leaders such as Jenny Walsh and Leigh Andrew, coach will not have a problem preparing the team for a victorious run.
First Academy (25-4) the defending state champion back to the Final Four, where it will face Fort Lauderdale Westminister Academy, which knocked off Palmetto Bay-Palmetto Trinity Friday in the state semifinals at The Lakeland Center.
"Our goal all year has been to repeat," said an elated First Academy coach Michele Moreman. "I couldn't be more thrilled. We're just one step closer. To be able to get it done is huge. They believed in themselves."
The First Academy can thank the front-line play of hitters Kelly Merideth, Ansley Gebben and Taylor English for punching another ticket to the Final Four.
To all of our South Florida Teams: "Stay Loose and Play Hard"
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