MERRITT ISLAND -- It took Merritt Island Christian part of the first set in Tuesday's Class 1A Region 2 volleyball quarterfinal to steady itself. But once the Cougars got settled down, they easily brushed aside Victory Christian to advance to the semifinals.
MIC ran its record to 22-6 with the 25-13, 25-8, 25-13 victory that took less than an hour to accomplish over the laissez-faire visitors from Lakeland who finished their season at 15-11.
Victory Christian did score early, taking advantage of MICS missing five serves to lead 6-3 and 9-6. But the Cougars went on a 19-4 run to win the first set and cruised from there behind senior Kacie Paulk's 14 assists and nine kills from junior Stephanie Quinn, who also had eight aces, six assists and eight digs in a match that at times resembled a scrimmage.
But rest assured, things will get tougher the deeper the Cougars advance into the state tournament. Next up is either Temple Christian or City of Life next Tuesday at the Cougar Coliseum.
"They came in relaxed, we haven't played in a week," Cougars coach Laurie Haines said. "That's where we started to fail in the beginning, we weren't able to do the simple serve, just get it in their court, we'll get a point. Once they stopped missing their serves we were fine."
The lack of intensity on Victory's part also played a role.
"They love the games where it's like a Merritt Island hitting at them," Haines said. "They don't like the free ball games. They lose their intensity. They don't play as sharp."
Haines also credited her front line for its efforts.
"Our net game is very good," she said.