VENICE (SNN-TV) – Another night of playoff volleyball took place on the Suncoast, down at the Teepee, one of the state’s top squads, the Venice Indians played host to Steinbrenner in their Regional Quarterfinal. Finishing the regular season at 17-4 on a five match win streak, HC Brian Wheatley looked to keep his squad’s momentum going.
Leading the first set 16-4, Brighton Ferguson with the serve to set up this possession, with Sophomore Summer Kohler driving home the kill for the Venice point.
Set point here for the Indians, the Teepee coming to life, again its Ferguson on the serve, Steinbrenner rallying the troops to keep the possession alive, when Ferguson bumps this up to senior Ashley Reynolds, who sets it up nice and pretty for junior Hilary Hupp to spike it home between two Warriors for the first set victory.
Second set now, Venice leading 16-7, Kyla Freddolino on the strong serve, Warriors return the ball to the Indians, Leah Bartlett tips it just shy of the net, Reynolds with the set up for Kohler who drives home one of her 18 kills on the night, Venice would dominate in straight sets, advancing to the semifinals, hosting Winter Haven this Saturday at 7pm.
Suncoast Scoreboard:
6A-Region 3 – Charlotte 3, Wharton 2 (23-25, 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 16-14)
Up Next: Semifinals vs. Mitchell (Saturday, 7pm)
5A-Region 3 – Braden River 3, Naples 0 (25-7, 25-13, 25-11)
Up Next: Semifinals at Osceola (Saturday, 7pm)