Doral girls’ volleyball advances to 1st state semifinal
The Doral Academy girls’ volleyball team won its first region championship and advanced to its first state semifinal.
In their first region final, the Class 7A Firebirds (21-8) defeated visiting South Plantation 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 25-19.
Leading Doral were Izabella Molina (15 kills, 3 blocks), Ariel Simmons
(10 kills, 5 blocks), Vicky Escuer (18 digs, 2 aces) and Melissa Gonzalez (21 assists, 5 digs, 3 aces).
South Plantation finished its season 22-3.
The region champs are Luci Macli, Vicky Escuer, Angie Vazquez, Bianka Hanks, Alejandra Gonzalez, Sophie Torres, Alex Novo, Olivia Casse, Sarah Diaz, Kaily Figueredo, Ariel Simmons, Melissa Gonzalez, Sofia Picard, Izabela Molina, Kathryn Yanes and Haily Nader.
The head coach is Julio Arnaiz, and the assistant coaches are Danny Montero, Ana Arnaiz and Danny Gregorio.
Doral Academy travels to (Tampa) Plant (24-5) in a 7A state semifinal on Saturday. Undefeated Jupiter (25-0) against Windermere (26-3) is the other 7A semifinal.
3A REGION
In a Class 3A region final, the Westminster Christian girls’ volleyball team beat Divine Savior 20-25, 25-11, 25-19, 25-21.
The Warriors (26-5) dropped the first game, before winning the next three en route to the region title.
This is Westminster Christian's seventh region championship and seventh state semifinal in the past 10 seasons. The program won state twice and was second twice.
The region champs are Emily Matias, Carolina Cueto, Ariana Arteaga, Lamaya Fuller, Alyssa Cadavid, Paige Anderson, Gaby Arroyo, Jazmine Nicolas, Kayla Perry, Zoey Matias, Alyah Cadavid, Gianna Romano, Isabella Artiles, Bella Artiles, Gigi Artiles, Dani Canales, Nati Milo and Leila Hilliard.
The coaches are Julie Doan Kurenuma, Lanae James and Scott Doan.
Westminster Christian hosts (North Palm Beach) Benjamin (16-7) on Saturday in a 3A state semifinal. Also after dropping their first game, the Buccaneers beat (Boca Raton) Saint John Paul II 12-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-21 in a region semifinal.
In the other 3A state semifinal, (Ocala) Trinity Catholic (24-4) meets (Clearwater) Calvary Christian (26-4).
4A REGION
The Calvary Christian girls’ volleyball team won its first region championship in school history.
The Eagles (25-4) defeated Cardinal Gibbons 25-21, 25-22, 25-27, 26-24
in a 4A region final. The Chiefs finished the season 17-13.
The school historymaking region champs are Ashley Kisslan, Kelcy Keller, Makinsey Wood, Vitoria Belfort, Jenna Keller, Sofia Lehmann, Gabby Brissett, Braelyn Mittauer, Valentina Casale, Emma Kohlhepp, Mariana Urrutia, Victoria Santana, Emily Navarro and Captain Taylor Bates. The head coach is Sam Skelton, and the assistant coach is Jen Wood.
Calvary Christian is hosting (Orlando) Bishop Moore (23-7) in a 4A state semifinal on Saturday. In the other 4A state semifinal, (Alachua) Santa Fe (27-3) plays (Tampa) Academy of the Holy Names (21-8).
CROSS-COUNTRY REGIONALS
The Carrollton girls’ cross-country team won its first regional championship since 2010.
The Cyclones, coached by Ross Hermelee, placed four runners in the top nine during a 1A region meet at South County
Regional Park in Boca Raton.
They are: 2. Andrea Montaner (Soph); 6. Arianna Garcia (8th grade); 7. Victoria Trap (Sr.); 9. Veronica Larrea (8th). Also, 24. Alexa Leon (8th); 30. Ava Candib (Jr.); 36. Isabela Delgado (Soph).
The field included 99 runners and 13 teams.
To advance to regionals, Carrollton won its second consecutive district championship for the first time in school history.
In 2A girls at South County Regional Park, St. Brendan was first of 16 teams, and Sabres junior Emma Hencock won the individual title, placing first of 113 runners in 18:39.62. Brooke Hooper, a Pine Crest sophomore, was runner-up in 18:46.93.
In 2A boys, Sunset won the team title of 13 teams. Pine Crest, Mater Lakes Academy, Gulliver Prep and Ransom Everglades also advanced to state.
Jeshua Osorio, a Mater Lakes junior, was runnerup in 16:01.22. Ransom senior Felipe de Cardenas was third of 105 runners in 16:12.53.