Perhaps Melbourne Central Catholic would have preferred a second option as a prize for its road semifinal victory.
After three previous losses in the series this season, the Hustlers won in straight sets Tuesday at John Carroll to move into today's 2 p.m. Class 3A, Region 3 volleyball final. Waiting for MCC (19-10), however, is one of the state's giants, Berkeley Prep (26-2). The winner of that match in Tampa moves into next week's state tournament at Lakeland.
"We didn't think we'd be here," MCC coach Bonnie Priester said. "I told them right before we beat John Carroll, 'If you play your best at the same time, we'll be unstoppable.' I'd like to think we're peaking at the right time."
The other Brevard County team alive in the volleyball playoffs did expect to reach this point. Merritt Island Christian (23-6) seeks its second straight berth in the Class 1A state tournament when it hosts Geneva (16-13) at 2 p.m. today in the Region 2 final. A win by the Cougars would earn them their third state tournament appearance in five seasons.
That is nothing new for Berkeley Prep, which ranks third in Florida with 12 state titles, and trails only Cardinal Gibbons (18) and Tampa Prep (15) in that category. Berkeley has reached the past five state tournaments and six of the past seven. It last won a state title in 2003.
Playing in its first regional final since 1999, MCC is looking for the school's second state tournament appearance. The first occurred in 1998.
"I don't have anyone who will be the 6-5 thing who will dominate," Priester said. "But I constantly want to remind them where we are and what it is like to be sitting there in the elite eight."
Either Brevard school, if it wins today, plays its state semifinal Friday at the Lakeland Center.