Then he smiled, a big toothy smile -- drenched in jubilation.

-- MIKE PHILLIPS

• N. Broward Prep d. Pine Crest 25-14, 25-27, 13-25, 25-23, 17-15: For about five minutes, Pine Crest thought it had won its Region 4-3A semifinal game against North Broward Prep, but Eagles coach Terri Jimenez argued the final call of the game to the head official.

Jimenez argued that the Pine Crest player who attempted to block the North Broward Prep kill attempt then hit the ball again after blocking it, making it a double hit. After arguing her team's case and a brief conference by the officials, it was decided that the point would be replayed with the Eagles serving.

That was all it took for the Eagles to come away with the stunning 25-14, 25-27, 13-25, 25-23, 17-15 win at Pine Crest on Tuesday night.

However, Panthers coach Denise Silvester is not letting this simply go away.

''I am not interpreting what that coach decided to say,'' Silvester said. ``The match was declared over. We are protesting to the FHSAA. I have coached over 30 years, collegiately, high school, club, internationally. I have never seen a match based on a coach complaining about a call changed and reversed once the match has been declared over, players have shook hands, and there's a decision.''

Jimenez had a different take on the play.

''It was a bad call,'' Jimenez said. ``Of course, I thought they would overturn it.

``She attacked the ball and then she dug it.''

Whether the Pine Crest protest makes a difference or not remains to be seen, but what the final call by the officials stole from the overall match was a fiercely competitive match with both teams battling for every point.

The Eagles (21-6) rolled in the first game, but blew a chance to go up 2-0 after back-to-back blown sets that could have led to kills to win the set. It appeared the Panthers were taking over after that as Shelby Spicer had 10 consecutive service points that led Pine Crest to an easy third set win.

Spicer led Pine Crest (12-17) with 23 kills, 20 digs and 11 service points. But the Panthers blew an 18-15 lead in the fourth set.

Olivia Mesner led the Eagles with 21 kills and 7 blocks. Krista Lighter had 27 digs and Katelyn Hummel had 41 assists and 20 service points.

-- RUDY RODRIGUEZ-CHOMAT

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