The Columbus boys’ golf team won the Maverick Invitational Tuesday at Jacaranda’s par 71 East Course.

The Explorers edged out Pine Crest by one stroke, 298-299, in the 11-school, 66-participant tournament hosted by Archbishop McCarthy.

“It’s really nice to win this tournament because the last few years we really didn’t play well here,” Columbus coach Mike Marinelli said. “These guys were really young a couple of years ago. Now they’ve had the experience of playing here a couple of times, and it helped.

“Districts and regionals are coming up this week and the week after, so it’s a good springboard into the playoffs.”

Columbus was led by Eddie Martinez and Julio Betancourt, who finished second and third respectively in individual results after carding a 72 and beating out Pine Crest’s Steven Chervony in a tiebreaker.

“I wasn’t worrying about anybody’s game,” Betancourt said. “I knew if I pulled through, everyone else was going to play good. It’s just play your game.”

Martinez and Betancourt say they are best friends, and the comfort level and familiarity they share is what gives them an advantage on the course.

“When I see [Betancourt] struggling a little bit, I always tell him, ‘Come on. Keep it up. You’re great. You can do it,’” Martinez said. “And he always comes through.”

Pine Crest’s Ryan Hager was the top individual golfer Tuesday with a score of 70. He was the only participant to finish under par

•  Team Results—Columbus 298, Pine Crest 299, University School 303, Douglas 306, Gulliver 309 – Individual Results: Ryan Hager (PC) 70, Eddie Martinez (COL) 72, Julio Betancourt (COL) 72, Steven Chervony (PC) 72, Mike Anderson (DOUG) 73, Matt Newman (DOUG) 73, Jordan Gumberg (US) 74, Jonah Wasserstrom (US) 75, Guillermo Saade (BEL) 75, Brent Weiss (PC) 75, Tyler St. Philip (AMC) 76, Juan Yumar (COL) 76, Joe Mizels (US) 76, Federico Daunert (GUL) 76, Colin Walkup (SEB) 76.

VOLLEYBALL

•  Ferguson d. Miami High 25-6, 25-11, 25-15: Dani Suarez 11 kills, 2 blocks, 4 aces. Raquel Ponce kill, 7 digs 5 aces. Marissa Jimenez 4 kills, 3 digs, 2 assists.

•  Princeton d. Miami Christian 25-22, 25-27, 15-25, 25-23, 15-11: Heather Hedges 5 Kills, 6 Blocks. Stephanie Robelo 3 Aces, 7 Assists. PRI 8-8.

Dade Christian d. Keys Gate Charter 25-11, 25-8, 25-11: Mishelle Nesbit 7 kills; Amanda Socarras 6 kills, 5 digs; Danielle Colossimo 7 digs.

•  American d. North Miami Beach 25-17, 23-25, 25-20, 25-15: Kayla Incera 27 assists, 10 digs, 2 kills, 2 aces. Kiera Whitehead 15 kills, 6 blocks, 5 digs. Lenysse Dyer 2 blocks.

•  La Salle d. MAST Academy 25-14, 25-10, 25-9: Alex Echevarria 5 kills, 6 digs, 10 aces. Erin McCain 4 kills, 2 blocks, 3 digs. Lorena Estevez 8 assists, 3 digs, 2 aces. Talia Gonzalez 3 kills, 4 digs, ace. LS 10-4.

•  Ransom d. Doral Academy: Kathryn Trinka 7 kills. Nikki Colonna 21 assists, 6 aces, 4 kills. Lisette Tellez 6 kills, 9 digs. Annie Elkin 8 assists. RAN 18-2.

•  Palmer Trinity d. Archbishop Curley 25-18, 25-18, 25-20: Danielle Littke 20 kills, 3 Aces, 38 assists. Barbara Lopez 14 kills, 5 aces, 25 assists. Kristen Fernandez 18 Digs. PT 14- 4.