There are no trades or off-waivers claims in high school volleyball.
|
| Merritt Island Christian's Aimee DeWitt, right, dinks the ball over Temple Christian's Haleigh Hodges. (Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY) |
Therefore, what Brevard County's four remaining regional semifinalists spot across the net tonight will be the same old faces in the same old uniforms.
Because of a Florida High School Athletic Association change last year in the bracket formats, teams that met in the district finals can, with regional quarterfinal victories, face each other again just two rounds later. Most coaches do not like that, but the FHSAA made the change in part to reduce travel costs and long mid-week trips in some sports. The negative is two good teams cannot both reach the regional-final level.
"I wish it wasn't like that," Melbourne Central Catholic coach Bonnie Priester said. "If you're looking for a true state championship, it should not be about travel. It should be about facing the best teams."
Nonetheless, MCC in 3A, Holy Trinity in 2A, and Merritt Island Christian and Temple Christian in 1A will try to advance into Saturday afternoon's regional-final round in today's 7 p.m. matches. All weekend winners play in next week's state tournament in Lakeland.
"It's been a little frustrating on the Hustlers' side," Priester said. "I liked it better when you didn't meet (in the regional semis). It's hard to face them again."
Priester said she recently has made several changes to her lineup. Yet the Hustlers and Rams have met seven times during the past two seasons. Surprises, therefore, will be minimal.
"We didn't have to search out film," Priester said. "We know them personally by name, number."
"Yes," Holy Trinity coach Patrick Barrett said, when asked if he would rather play another team at this stage. "The team we're playing is a very strong team. Yet in some ways, I like playing a team we've played. I know who we're playing, know what they're going to do and know we can beat them."
A victory would place Holy Trinity in a volleyball regional final for the first time.
"I figured at some point, we'd have to play them again," Barrett said. "I'm disappointed we have to face a district opponent so early in the playoff series."
"My girls are very prepared to play the game," Temple coach Faye Maynard said. "We're hoping to come off with a great start. If we can keep morale up, we could give them a run for their money."
If MIC wins tonight, it will host the regional
final against the Geneva-Circle Christian victor. The Cougars swept Victory Christian
in their opening regional match.
"We're very prepared for Temple, but it is also an advantage for them," Cougars coach Laurie Haines said. "It's nice to be playing a team we can play ball with rather than a bump-ball game."