Palmer Trinity Powers over Westminster in three sets

This time of year is full of the excitement of the playoffs as Class 2A Titans: Palmer Trinity and Westminster clashed for the forth time this year in the Regional Semifinals. Unlike all of their previous matches the victor was decided in just three sets as Palmer Trinity controlled the net.

Palmer Trinity advanced with a three set victory 25-21, 25-9, 25-20 and will now face Westminster Academy of Broward County in the regional Finals.

At the beginning of the match the gym was a buzz with anticipation as both teams respect one-anothers ability and all knew that either way, a very talented teams season would be coming to an abrupt end. The first set was as many have been in this classic match-up; hard fought with many great plays from both sides. In the end Palmer Trinity broke a tie late in the set to capture set one 25-21.



Set two began with Palmer ridding the momentum of the first set to a quick 8-1 run. They never looked back as Paulina Prieto, Savannah Dominguez and Kristen Titley controlled the net and the set with a 25-9 victory.

As set number three started, most in the gym wondered how Westminster would respond.
Would they come out flat or would they dig deep within themselves and play like warriors. Of course they came out like warriors and took a commanding 9-2 lead. Just as it seemed that we were headed towards yet another 5 set thriller, Palmer Trinity started to assert itself and to control the net with it's power game. The 9-2 lead that Westminster earlier enjoyed became a 13-9 deficit as Palmer Trinity went on an 11 point run. The set was closely contested with the last tie being at 18 a piece when Palmer went on it's final run to close the set and the 2009 version of the "Clash of the Titans" as Palmer won set no. 3 (25-20).



As many folks in the gym congratulated the deserving Palmer Trinity players and coaches, I'd like to take the time to acknowledge the Westminster team and tip my hat off to them and the great season that they had in 2009.

Miami Dade Community College wins State Championship

The Sharks won the FCCAA state championship with the victory. They were led by Yenifer Calcano's double-double (13 kills, 12 digs, 1 ace, 1 block). Calcano was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.



The Miami Dade College volleyball team is currently ranked #1 in the State, and # 7 in the Nation. The 25-4 Sharks are the 2009 Southern Conference Champions. For the 4th straight season, they finished undefeated in the conference at 12-0.

The Lady Sharks are lead by OH/M Sandra Montoya, was is currently ranked in the Nation at #8 digs per set, #47 hitting efficiency, and ranked in the State at #2 digs per set, #11 hitting efficiency, #37 kills per set, #48 blocks per set. OH/M Yenifer Calcano is currently ranked in the Nation at #11 kills per set, #24 aces per set, #29 hitting efficiency, and in the State at #1 kills per set, # 5 aces per set, # 6 hitting efficiency, #17 digs per set, #18 blocks per set.

Also, freshman setter Mima Hajdukovic is ranked in the Nation at #23 hitting efficiency, #40 assists per set, and in the State at #6 assists per set, #8 assists per set, #26 aces per set, #43 kills per set. The Lady Sharks have qualified for the FCCAA Region/State Championship competition on Nov. 5-7.

FIU Prevails through a tough Weekend defeating WKU and MTSU

This weekend's matches had upset written all over them as FIU was ridding a high of consecutive victories and Conference powerhouses (Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee) were lying in wait to ambush FIU and crush this special season.







Coach Tomic obviously had the team focused with the task at hand because FIU came out victorious on both matches.








BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The FIU volleyball team defeated Sun Belt Conference rival Western Kentucky, 3-1, on Friday night at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky., as the Panthers won their 18th straight victory to improve to 25-2 (15-0 SBC) on the season. The 15 conference wins equal the most in the program's history, a mark set by last year's squad.

Rosa recorded a double-double with 20 kills and 14 digs, both team-best marks, while Bjelica tallied 19 kills against just two errors for an attack percentage of .486. Sophomore Andrea Lakovic had a stellar outing on both sides of the net, notching seven kills against a single error for a hitting percentage of .429 and recorded three solo blocks and three block assists. Bjelica added a team-high four blocks.
Valentin recorded 35 assists and FIU's lone service aces of the evening while Araujo added 10 digs.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The FIU volleyball team clinched the Sun Belt Conference regular season title on Saturday night at Alumni Memorial Gym with a 3-1 (26-24, 25-22, 22-25, 26-24) victory over Middle Tennessee. The Panthers are winners of 19 straight matches and improve to 26-2 (16-0 SBC) on the season with the win. The 16 conference wins is also a new school record, breaking the previous record of 15 set in 2008.

Three Panthers reached double digits in kills on the night, as Rosa recorded 21 kills and Vergun and Bjelica added 18 and 14 kills, respectively. Valentin tallied 52assists while Vergun led the FIU defense with six blocks. Sophomore Andrea Lakovic had another outstanding night as she tallied four kills compared to zero errors for a hitting percentage of .500. She also added a pair of block assists.

Be sure to make it to the U.S. Century Arena this Wednesday @ 6:30PM for FIU's second to last home match of the season vs. up and coming Florida Gulf Coast University.

FIU's Volleyball team is in the midst of a Special Season

We are truly blessed as a community to have a team competing at such a high level in DIV I. The FIU Golden Panthers are on a tear with a 24-2 record. They have received the highest votes from the AVCA coaches poll "Top 25" ever. If you are a fan of great volleyball and you wish to witness first hand a great team in action; I highly recommend you make it to as many games as possible because the season is almost over and the team leaders: Yarimar Rosa #3, Olga Vergun #7 and Isadora Rangel #14 are seniors.



FIU is located right of the Florida Turnpike, there is no reason that folks from Broward County and North Miami Beach can not make it to these matches. The environment is great with 1,000 plus fans always in attendance at the U.S. Century Bank Arena that can hold much more.

There are only two home matches remaining:
Wednesday Nov. 11th vs. Florida Gulf Coast @ 6:30PM
Saturday Nov 28th vs. Florida A&M @ 1:00PM



This weekend will prove to be the toughest test yet as FIU travels to Sun Belt Conference nemesis Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. Traditionally these two team have been the top teams in the conference since coach Danijela Tomic arrived @ FIU. Last years FIU team captured the conference title as all three teams (W.K. & MTSU) went to the NCAA Tournament.

I'm sure that both Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee are not very happy that there is a new Queen of the Mountain and will do everything possible to knock them off this weekend.

Scouting Western Kentucky: The Hilltoppers are 21-7 on the season and 10-3 in SBC play heading into the weekend and are riding a five-match win streak. Offensively, WKU is led by Jordyn Skinner (250 kills, 2.4 kps) and Lauren Stuckel (987 assists, 9.49 aps), while Brittany Bowen (90 blocks, 0.89 bps) and Sarah Rogers (392 digs, 3.77 dps) spearhead the Hilltopper defense. Lindsey Gould leads the squad in service aces with 43. The last time WKU and FIU met (Sept. 2), the Panthers came away with a 3-1 win at the U.S. Century Bank Arena behind a season-high 24 kills from senior Yarimar Rosa. Coutesy of FIU.com

Scouting Middle Tennessee: The Blue Raiders are 19-7 overall and 12-1 in SBC action, as MTSU brings a 10-match win streak into weekend action. The MTSU offense is led by Izabela Kozon (317 kills, 3.56 kps) and Leslie Clark (969 assists, 10.89 aps), while Janay Yancey (88 blocks, 1.06 bps) and Ashley Waugh (248 digs, 3.22 dps) lead the Blue Raider defense. Kozon leads the team in service aces with 30. The Blue Raiders' lone conference loss came at the hands of FIU on Oct. 4 by a 3-1 score at the U.S. Century Bank Arena. Rosa and Vergun led the Panthers with 19 and 15kills, respectively. Courtesy of FIU.com

Regardless of this weekends outcome The FIU team should go far if they stay hungry. Knowing coach Tomic she'll have this team ready to face adversity and to prevail.

University Round-Ups:

This weekend is shaping up to be a good weekend to visit your favorite team cheer your team to victory:

The University of Miami are fighting to establish themselves this year and will host Wake Forest tonight the 6th @ 7:00PM. They will then host ACC power house Duke University @ 1:00PM. If you wish to see the Duke match arrive early.

Nova Southeastern will host Fla. Tech this evening @ 7:00PM and Rollins College Saturday @ 4:00PM.

Barry University will host the same Div II teams in inverse order. Rollins this evening @ 7:00PM then Fla. Tech on Saturday @ 2:00PM.

We hope everyone has a great weekend cheering your favorite teams as the University season winds down.

Yesterday, Nov 4th were the final Quaterfinal matches in South Florida. Several good teams were eliminated from contention this week. We salute the effort that every player, parent and coach has put forth. We hope that every team that moves towards the State Finals in Lakeland represents South Florida to the fullest.

There was one upset to report in Lourdes defeat of Palmetto (last years 6A Lakeland Representative).

Lourdes was led by the servicing of Senior Lauren Silva (7aces and 6 kills) as they d. Palmeto 26-24, 26-24, 25-19 in region 4-6A Quarterfinal. Senior OH Carolina Nuche finished with a match high 13 kills, Junior Setter Ketherine Zamora had 31 assists and freshman libero Victoria Verdeja had 23 digs.

Region 4-6A quarterfinal -- Ferguson d. Killian, 25-19, 25-17, 25-17: Alexandra Beverly slammed five of her team-high 14 kills in the third game.

``We played a good game overall and our setter really ran our offense well,'' Ferguson coach Greg Shanower said. ``We turned on the switch when we needed to, which is good, but it's that time of year where every point, every set, every play counts.''

Ferguson (20-5) rallied to win the opening game, as Beverly collected four of her 14 kills. Alexandra Walewski added 20 digs and seven kills.

The Falcons will prepare for Lourdes next.

``Playing Lourdes again is tough because they played us so well in the district finals,'' Shanower said. ``They know our weaknesses and though the score didn't reflect it, they played a much better game than we did.''

-- MELISSA MARTI, Miami Herald


• Region 4-6A quarterfinal -- Krop d. Coral Park 22-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-17: The Lightning (23-2) came together once again, rallying around the injured Brittany Dubins.

Although Dubins was hampered by a leg injury she sustained during the district championship tournament, she sparked Krop with 13 kills. The Lightning will host Hialeah at 3 p.m. next Tuesday in the regional semifinals.

Krop coach Caron Schiffman said that before the game, Dubins told her that she wanted to play despite the injury.

``Brittany told me, 'I'm here if you need me [coach]','' Schiffman said. ``I really didn't want to play her at all, but I could sense that the girls needed to get pumped up out there so I threw her in and whenever she got a kill or made big play, it got us going.''

-- J.T. WILCOX, Miami Herald

• Region 4-2A quarterfinal -- Palmer Trinity d. Florida Christian 25-13, 25-18, 25-17: Palmer dominated from the outset and were able to attack incessantly courtesy of sophomore Paulina Prieto who led the charge with nine kills, four aces, and nine blocks. Prieto was also fundamental in the frontline defense as they were able to neutralize the Patriots Meghan Doyle.

Palmer's offense was not only being run through Prieto but also senior Sarah Alfonso (40 assists, three blocks) as well as Kristen Titley (four aces, five kills). Savannah Dominguez (four kills, three blocks) and Lauren Boss (five kills, two aces) were vital contributors to the Falcon cause.

-- JUAN ARANGO, Miami Herald

• Region 4-4A quarterfinal -- Mater Academy d. Archbishop McCarthy 22-25, 23-25, 25-16 25-23, 15-2: The host Lions overcame a two game deficit and dominated the fifth set, scoring 13 points in a row behind a flawless service run from Natasha Naveda and beating McCarthy on a kill from senior Jenna Isaacs.

``The first two sets, my heart was breaking,'' Isaacs said. ``But our whole team, we brought it back together, and that's the best feeling in the world. -- I'm going to cry right now.''

Isaacs finished with 24 kills and one block, and senior Maria Madrid had 17 kills and two blocks.

-- EVAN DREXLER, Miami Herald

• Region 4-2A quarterfinal -- Westminster Academy d. Fort Pierce John Carroll 27-25, 25-14, 27-25: Amelia Bohlander had 13 kills (three blocks, two tips) and six service points (two aces) to lead a solid effort for Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale.

The Lions (20-6) will host Calvary Christian in a rematch of the district finals -- won by Westminster -- in the region semifinal on Nov. 10.

Westminster avenged an earlier loss to John Carroll (21-8) at the Martin County tournament. The Lions served, passed and hit well Wednesday. The defense was strong, and they won the close games.

Leigh Andrew had 14 kills (tip), nine digs, nine service points (ace), and Brenna Pelletier had nine service points (three aces), eight digs and a kill. Jenny Walsh recorded 12 digs to anchor a solid defense along with Andrew and Pelletier.

-- JIM VARSALLONE, Miami Herald

• Region 3-6A semifinal -- West Broward d. Plantation 25-20, 21-25, 25-13, 25-11: West Broward defeated Plantation to advance to the regional finals for the first time in school history.

West Broward got it done using a variety of different players to tally kills, assists and digs.

``We are blessed with versatility,'' Bobcats coach Jill Smitherman said. ``We distribute the ball well and get the job done.''

Leading the way for the Bobcats was Taylor Bonito, who totaled 33 assists, 15 digs, two blocks and four kills. She also hit four consecutive aces to start the first set.

-- ALEX WEINTRAUB, Miami Herald

• Region 4-4A quarterfinal: Cardinal Gibbons d. Norland 25-4, 25-9, 25-9: Katie Hilman had two blocks, five kills, 16 service points. Kaiti Donahoe had four kills, 28 assists, six aces. Suzi Solenski had 10 kills, six service points. CG 21-2.

• Region 4-2A quarterfinal -- Calvary Christian d. Benjamin 25-23. 25-22, 25-22: Christine Lakatos had 16 kills, five blocks, three service points. Debra Gordon had 14 kills, four service points, four aces. Jessie Wilkie had 30 assists, 10 service points. CC 17-9.

• Region 3-6A quarterfinal -- Douglas d. Jupiter 25-22, 23-25, 25-14, 25-23: Kendall Putnam had 13 service points, four aces, 19 kills. Kirsten Kuhl had five digs, 11 kills, four blocks. Lauren Strode had three service points, 12 digs. DOU 17-6.

• Region 4-2A quarterfinal -- Westminster Christian d. Miami Country Day 25-18, 25-17, 25-18: Julie Trembley had 15 kills, five digs. Deanna Etzold had 11 kills, nine assists, five digs. Rebbecca Acevedo had 34 assists, nine kills, four aces. WC 23-5.

• Region 4-6A quarterfinal -- Hialeah d. Goleman 25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 25-9: Jasmine Wilkin led Hialeah with 13 kills and five blocks. Miriah Reynold had six kills and five blocks. Jennifer Maron had 23 assists.

Photos: Parents and Coaches send in the photos of South Florida's Playoff Action!

South Florida teams continue their qwest towards Lakeland: Regional Quarter Finals

South Florida's elite teams continue their quest towards the State Championship in the Quarterfinal Rounds of the Regionals. All the teams advanced as expected with the slight exception of Redlands Christian in 1A that was the runner-up of District 16 and d. the winner of District 15 - Greater Miami Christian. This is not a major upset seeing that Redlands has been a constant participant in Lakeland and is still lead by the Carr sisters.

The balance of Regional Quarterfinals take place today through-out South Florida.

Regional Quarterfinal Action - Results and Top Performers for Tuesday Nov 2nd:

>Region 4-1A quarterfinal -- Miami Christian d. Calusa Prep 25-15, 24-26, 25-13, 25-19: Andrea Garcia led Miami Christian (20-3) with 16 kills and eight aces. Nicole Beckleheimer finished with 13 kills and eight aces. Alexandra Marchese contributed 25assists.

> Region 4-1A quarterfinal -- Redland Christian Academy d. Greater Miami Academy 25-12, 25-15, 25-19: Kaylyn Carr had 25 kills, four blocks, four aces and five assists to lead the Falcons (16-3) to victory. Karlee Carr added four kills, one block, seven aces and 31 assists, and Deedee Nelson contributed 10 kills, one block, two aces and one assist.







> Region 4-5A quarterfinal -- St. Thomas Aquinas d. Palm Beach Wellington 25-8, 25-9,25-11: Kelly Marble had 11 kills, two digs, five service points for the Raiders. Allison Bellanger (Pictured Hitting #1) had 10 kills, nine digs and two blocks. Crystal Dedes added six kills and seven blocks. The Raiders travel to face Spanish River, whom the Raiders defeated in their lone regular season matchup.


> Region 4-5A quarterfinal -- Boca Raton Spanish River d. Nova 25-20, 25-11, 25-17: Olivia Mesner (Pictured), a junior transfer from North Broward Prep, led the host Sharks (20-7). She had eight kills in a close game one. Spanish River pulled away in game two as she added four more kills (block, tip). Nova's sound defense had trouble handling the serve of libero Maddy Davell in game one and Alex Burgess in game two. Sara Saxner and Cassie Thompson each had three kills for the Titans (17-6) in the opener, but Spanish River kept Nova off ballance, finding spots.

> Region 4-3A quarterfinal -- North Broward Prep d. Cardinal Newman 25-22, 25-9, 25-11: Victoria McPherson had 16 kills and two blocks, and Kristi Chynoweth added 11 kills and two blocks to lead the Eagles (16-11). Krista Lighter had 11 digs, seven service points and two aces. Katelyn Hummell had 35 assists.

> Region 4-3A quarterfinal -- Chaminade d. Miami Gulliver Prep 25-15, 25-22, 25-17: Brianna O'Neil had 10 kills, eight service points and two blocks to lead the Lions (22-6). Ashley Rey had eight service points, seven kills and six digs. Chantal Franzosa had eight service points, two aces and five kills.

> Region 4-1A quarterfinal -- Highlands Christian d. Boca Raton Christian 25-10, 25-16, 25-23: Katelyn Wik had 12 service points, four aces, six digs and eight kills for the Knights (18-7). Lindsey Nick had 12 service points, three aces, three digs and nine kills. Joanna Marco had eight service points, six digs, 12 assists and three blocks. Kelly Ray had five kills and five blocks.

> Region 4-1A quarterfinal -- Lake Worth Christian d. Sheridan Hills 25-11, 25-6, 25-5: Caitlin McCluskey had four kills and two blocks to lead the Sharks (21-3) in the loss.

Be sure to read your local papers for complete Volleyball Playoff coverage.

Setters Lead Potent Attacks

Today, we came across a great article from the Sun Sentinel that we had to share with all our readers. Far to often, the middle blockers and outside hitters get recognized but who sets them up with perfect passes to slam down. Obviously it's the setter. Mrs. Chirinos did a great job with this article.

No headlines or flashy statistics. Instead, there's the grueling task of trying to figure out how to best distribute the ball and keep everybody — including the coach —happy.

No wonder volleyball player Nikki Naccarato of Wellington (Pictured) shied away from the idea of moving from hitter to setter.

"It was tough, and I rebelled so much," said the Wellington junior who led Palm Beach County with an average of 32.4 assists per match during the regular season. "I enjoy hitting, and setters don't really get the glory. Now, I would never trade it for the world."

Most likely, Naccarato realized what dozens of top-notch South Florida volleyball coaches preach yearly.

It may be the big hitters who notch the points, but without their unheralded setters, it would be incredibly difficult to succeed.

"They do a lot of the work," Wellington coach Steve Swan said. "Setters are the coaches on the floor. They're the ones calling the plays and making quick decisions. It's a tough spot."

As regional volleyball tournaments begin this week across [South Florida], several of South Florida's top high school setters will be working to move their teams one step closer to the state championships.

South Florida's Top Setters currently leading their teams in the Regionals are:

Boca Raton's Julia Schade
Jupiter's Brittany Lear
St. Thomas Aquinas' Lauren Spear
Calvary Christian's Jessie Wilkie
Lake Worth Christian's Danielle Lampman
Ferguson's Kristin Walewski
Krops Jesyca Schiffman
Palmer Trinity's Sarah Alfonso
Westminster's Rebecca Acevedo
Mater's Natasha Naveda

Those are just a few of the players coaches and hitters will be looking to when it comes time to take a pass and turn it into the perfect opportunity to notch crucial points.

"It's a complete mental game," Cardinal Gibbons coach Kathryn Farland said. "In their minds, they have to take the pass and figure out where they can set it. It has to go through their mind so quickly, and they have to play smart. That's what you look for in a setter."

Aside from the physical skills and the mental prowess, good setters often share another characteristic: the ability to move on quickly.

To Read the complete article please buy a copy of the Sun Sentinel, Never has such a small amount of money bought so much.

Christy Cabrera Chirinos can be reached at ccabrera@SunSentinel.com
Copyright © 2009, South Florida Sun-Sentinel