Girls Volleyball: Southwest Upends Ferguson; Aquinas Cruises To District Crown

SFHSSports: Twitter | Facebook

After losing three times to Ferguson this season, Southwest girls' volleyball team found the winning formula and outlasted the Falcons in five sets to win the District 15-4A title.

The Falcons had defeated the Eagles twice during the regular season and in the GMAC tournament.

But on Friday it was Southwest (20-5) that prevailed, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 15-25, 15-11 to hand the Falcons only their second loss of the season.

Junior Mia Thomas led the Eagles with 34 assists and four aces. Outside hitter Mya Thomas had 16 kills and 11 digs. Amanda Rodriguez had 18 digs.

The rivals are expected to go at it again in the region semifinals. But first they have to get past Tuesday night's region quarterfinals. Southwest Miami will host Coral Reef and Palmetto will host Ferguson. The winners advance to Friday's semifinal round.

BROWARD

Two-time defending champion St. Thomas Aquinas (25-2) had no trouble winning the District 14-8A title with a straight set win over Fort Lauderdale.

It was the Raiders' 27th district title in various classifications. This year the Raiders are competing in 8A for the first time.

The Raiders defeated the Flying L's, 25-10, 25-5, 25-9. The Raiders have yet to lose a set to a Florida high school team this season.

Jada Gardener had 7 kills, one block and one dig. Emma Dixon had 10 service points, 3 kills, one block and one ace. Paula Cerame had 6 digs. Kelsey O'Loughlin had 13 assists, 10 service points and two aces.

Archbishop McCarthy won its' fifth district title in the program's history with a straight set victory over Pompano Beach in the District 16-6A final, 25-15, 25-22, 25-8.

It was the first district crown for first-year coach Corey Marks. The Mavericks will host Dreyfoos School of the Arts on Tuesday.

"It's very big," Marks texted. "It's something we wanted and worked for this entire year." Victoria Boudreaux had 15 kills, 4 aces and 9 digs. Samantha Rodriguez had 11 kills, 3 aces and 5 digs. Gabi Sanchez had 41 assists and 5 aces.

In other district tournament finals reported:

District 11-9A: Monarch (20-6) defeated Douglas, 25-23, 25-15, 18-25, 26-24. Kayla Schmitz had 12 kills, 10 service points, 10 digs, 4 aces and 2 blocks. Kirstin Colwell had 15 kills, 6 service points and 3 blocks.

District 12-9A: Cypress Bay defeated Western, 25-13, 25-21, 25-20.

District 15-8A: Cooper City (8-10) won its second consecutive district crown with a 25-23, 25-15, 25-22 victory over South Broward. Erin Silverman had 4 service points, 7 assists and 2 aces. Rebecca Smitherman had 5 kills, 2 blocks, 4 digs and 4 points. Emma Trittin had 6 aces.

District 15-7A: St. Brendan defeated Sunset, 25-22, 25-23, 22-25, 26-24. Marcela Fernandez had 19 kills, 3 digs and 2 blocks. Alexis Dow had 6 kills and 5 blocks. Camila Treptow jad 39 assists, 4 digs and 4 aces.

District 16-5A: Westminster Christian (22-4) defeated Gulliver Prep, 25-17, 25-21, 25-16. Nikkia Benitez had 17 kills, 13 digs and 4 blocks. Gabrielle Miller had 5 kills and 2 blocks. Ingrid Savola had 27 service points, 15 assists and 3 aces. Quinn Blanco had 16 assists and 5 digs. Gulliver Prep had eliminated Ransom Everglades in the semifinals preventing them from advancing to regions since 2002.

District 15-5A: Down two sets, LaSalle defeated MAST Academy, 19-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-15, 15-13. Nina Gutierrez had 15 kills, 12 digs and 2 blocks. Mikayla Sanchez had 10 kills. Mia Sanchez had 6 blocks. Daniela De la Iglesia had 10 digs and 5 aces. Sophia Perez had 29 assists, 12 digs and 3 aces.

District 13-5A: Pope John Paul II defeated North Broward Prep, 18-25, 25-14, 22-25, 25-20, 16-14. Taylor Lambert had 17 kills.

District 15-4A: Carol City won the title with a 25-19, 25-17, 25-21 victory over Central. Ajahnae Baker had 8 kills, 5 aces, 3 blocks and 1 dig. Kyla Carswell had 1 ace. Markeisha Lewis had 3 aces and 5 assists. Dianna Wilson had 3 aces, 3 kills, 2 blocks and 2 digs.

District 7-4A: Florida Christian (17-6) defeated Riviera Prep, 25-23, 25-19, 25-18. Gianna Ortiz had 6 points, 8 digs, 21 assists, 2 kills and 1 ace. Karina Tohme had 5 points, 2 aces, 10 kills and 11 digs. Brittany Beckelheimer had 4 points, 13 kills, 1 block and 8 digs.

District 8-3A: Divine Savior (14-2) defeated Coral Springs Christian, 25-11, 25-19, 25-23. Fabiana Castro had 16 kills, 10 digs. Melanie Sanchez had 11 digs and 9 kills. Sabrina Gonzalez had 24 assists, 9 digs and 4 kills. Sofia Lugo had 5 kills and 7 digs.

District 6-4A: Sagemont defeated Miami Country Day, 23-25, 25-8, 25-16, 25-18. Brooklynne Villano had 17 kills and 15 points. Valeria Castro had 12 kills and 10 points. Carly Cohen had 14 kills and 14 points.

REGION QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

6-4A: Westminster Academy at Sagemont, Wednesday, 7 p.m.

5-4A: Miami Country Day at Benjamin, Wednesday, 7 p.m.

7-3A: Coral Springs Christian at Lake Worth Christian, Thursday, 7 p.m.

8-3A: Jupiter Christian at Divine Savior, Thursday, 7 p.m.