Rivalry matchups heat up
The top three teams in this week’s Sentinel Super Six girls volleyball rankings will have home-court advantage against area teams that hope to spring region semifinal surprises on Tuesday night.
Top-ranked Lake Highland Prep will host Orlando rival Bishop Moore in a Class 4A matchup showcasing programs that have combined for 11 state championships since 1999. The Hornets have six, the Highlanders five.
No. 2 Hagerty is also home against next-door neighbor Oviedo in 7A. The Huskies and the Lions are 1-1 against each other this season, but this is the match that matters.
“We have to keep a tough mindset. We beat them at our place and they beat us at theirs, so the next meeting it’s going to be on who really shows up,” said Hagerty coach Juanita Hitt.
Third-ranked Lyman, coming off the first region playoff win in program history, has home-court advantage against Timber Creek, which is in the final 16 of its class for the first time since 2014.
Nine other area teams are still in play as the field narrows for state semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 9, and FHSAA finals in Fort Myers, Nov. 15-16.
Tuesday’s winners will play region finals next Tuesday,
Nov. 5, with higher seeds again hosting.
Admission is $7 for all region matches.
Sentinel Super Six Team rankings
1. Lake Highland Prep
(22-2): PrepVolleyball.com rates the Highlanders as the No. 2 team in the South, followed by Hagerty.
2. Hagerty (22-6): The Huskies’ gym could be the best volleyball atmosphere in the state Tuesday when Oviedo comes calling.
3. Lyman (26-2): The Greyhounds, winners of 17 in a row, are rated No. 2 in Class 7A behind Hagerty by
MaxPreps. 4. Windermere (26-2):
The Wolverines, winners of nine straight, travel Tuesday as the third seed in a tough region.
5. Oviedo (18-11): The Lions dug deep for a 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 24-26, 15-10 road win at Bartram Trail to stay alive. 6. Timber Creek (19-8):
The Wolves’ only area losses since Sept. 10 were to Hagerty (twice) and Lyman.
Second six: 7. East Ridge (21-6*); 8. Dr. Phillips (18-10*); 9. Trinity Prep (20-8); 10. Lake Nona (18-3*); 11. Kissimmee Osceola (25-2*); 12. Winter Springs (18-10)
Watch list: St. Cloud
(20-4); Bishop Moore (12-12). * season complete