TAMPA — Bradenton Christian had a difficult time digging Tampa Bayshore Christian’s powerful spikes. Bradenton Christian had an arduous time blocking kills, and the Faith Warriors found holes in the Panthers defense.
In the end, BCS was swept by host Bayshore Christian 25-19, 26-24, 25-18 on Tuesday in the Class 1A-Region 2 semifinals.
The Faith Warriors defeated the Panthers (23-6) for the fourth time in five meetings this season.
Bayshore Christian squeaked by Bradenton Christian two weeks ago in the Class 1A-District 8 title game.
So these teams know each other all too well.
“Maybe it was our youth,” Panthers coach Greg Geraldson said. “We are still waiting for somebody else to take the shot or to dig the ball. It’s like I’m looking at you and you are looking at me and the ball drops.”
The Panthers had only six blocks in the game.
The Faith Warriors (16-11) used the power games of Gabrielle Fernandez (19 kills) and Valencia King (12 kills and three blocks) to dominate BCS at the net.
And a heartbreaking regional semifinal lost to the Panthers last season was fresh on the players’ minds.
“We really wanted to just take care of them,” said Fernandez, who returned to the court for the first time in two weeks after nursing a shoulder injury. “It’s drive and determination to win. Our teams are very similar. We both have roller coaster teams, and we aren’t very strong in some areas. To beat a team that we are pretty fairly matched against is an accomplishment.”
BCS’ biggest problem was holding a lead. After charging back in the first game from six points down, the Panthers took a brief 16-15 advantage on Ashley Deal’s ace, but BCS won only three points after that.
In the second game, the Panthers rallied from six points back again to take a 24-23 lead, but Faith Warriors’ Amanda Mirabella’s spike tied the score 24-all. According to Geraldson, Mirabella was a back row player and was out of position, but the referees missed the call.
“That would have been game, and we would have tied it 1-1,” Geraldson said. “We had fought a good comeback in that second game. But what can you do?”
The Faith Warriors took command of the third game and were never really challenged.
Abi Van Ostenbridge led the Panthers with 10 kills, and Chyna Ratner added eight kills and senior Savannah Smith chipped in with 11 digs.
“I just thought we could go farther than this,” Smith said. “It’s definitely bittersweet. We didn’t get it done this year and we have (two seniors). I know they can do it next year.”
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