Navigating the steps was the first hurdle Merritt Island Christian's volleyball team faced Friday.
Last year, the Cougars literally stumbled into their Class 1A state semifinal.
"I think half our team tripped over the step that leads up to the court," coach Laurie Haines said with a chuckle. "Everybody made it OK today, though."
Unfortunately for Merritt Island, the obstacles on the other side of the net proved a lot tougher to negotiate Friday.
Despite playing well for the first two games against South Daytona's Warner Christian Academy, Merritt Island fell in the semifinals for the second year in a row, losing to Warner Christian in four games.
The Cougars were defeated 25-19, 21-25, 25-11, 25-14 at the Lakeland Center.
"They just stepped up their game in the last two games, and we couldn't match it," Haines said. "It's disappointing, but last year we didn't even win a game, so this is a little better."
Merritt Island (24-7) had seen Warner Christian once already this season, losing to the Eagles (29-1) in four games at a tournament on Oct. 16.
And for the first two games Friday, Merritt Island seemed like the less-nervous squad. The Cougars were chasing down most of Warner's attacks, and had stymied Eagles star Jordan Holcomb, forcing 12 Warner hitting errors.
"I thought we were doing pretty well, and making most of the plays we wanted to," said Cougars junior hitter Stephanie Quinn, who led her team with 13 kills. "Having played them before, we knew we could stay with them."
But Quinn's cross-court kill to finish off Game 2 was the last big highlight for Merritt Island. Warner continued to drive the ball toward Cougars setter Kacie Poulk, which Haines said disrupted Merritt Island's offense.
"They're very smart with the ball, and they know how to attack you," Haines said. "They found our weaknesses and just kept going there."
Still, Merritt Island had its moments in the final two games; a brief run early in Game 4 brought the Cougars to within 12-6.
"We just didn't really play well enough the last few games to win," said senior Erica Robes, who had eight kills. "I don't know if we got complacent after winning the second game or what happened."
Even with the loss, it's been quite a two-year run for Merritt Island, and with eight players back next year, the trip to Lakeland might become a familiar one.
"I think it's more disappointing this year because we knew we belonged here and weren't too nervous," Quinn said. "But they're a great team and deserved to win."