By BRENDAN HALL
After a defining win against the Dr. Michael M. Krop Lightning, the girls varsity volleyball team is going to the state finals.
With the exception of the third game, the Lady Braves outmatched and outplayed the Lightning in all facets. Passing was sharp, sets were on target and everyone was hitting with power and accuracy.
In the first game sophomore Megan Chavalier and senior Kristin Faust got off to a quick start and never looked back as the girls won 25-14.
The second game brought more of the same as sophomore Kendall Sexton dominated the middle, blocking everything hit her way. The Lightning hurt themselves with passing errors, surmounting to another quick loss 25-15.
The third game, however, proved to be a sloppy one for the Braves. From passing errors to poor sets to hitting into the net, the team fell apart. Clinging on to a 24-20 lead, the girls gave up six straight points and dropped the only set to the Lightning 24-26.
But after their wake-up call, the Lady Braves rolled as Dr. Michael M. Krop got down early and never regained their footing, eventually losing the game 19-25 and the match 1-3.
The state finals is 5 p.m. today at the Lakeland Center, tickets are $8. The game will also be broadcast live on Bright House Sports Network.