Gibbons and Aquinas to meet in district final

Cardinal Gibbons and St. Thomas Aquinas, squaring off at season's end in boys' volleyball.

Sound familiar? It should.

They did it last year. And in 2006, 2005, and many times before 2003, when the FHSAA -- in its first year recognizing boys' volleyball as an official sport -- put the schools in separate districts before reuniting them two seasons ago.

On Thursday, they will do it again.

''That's pretty much the way it is,'' Cardinal Gibbons coach Marcy Meyer said of the almost-inevitable year-end meeting, this one with the District 9 title on the line.

Of course, Meyer could go a step further. Her Chiefs haven't just faced the Raiders the past three playoffs. They have eliminated them -- twice in districts and once in the first round of the state tournament.

Want some more story lines? Here are a few more:

• Raiders coach Mike DiPierro is a 1999 Cardinal Gibbons graduate, and played two years under Meyer, as did Raiders assistant Jim DeCicco, a 2000 Cardinal Gibbons alumnus.

• St. Thomas senior Kevin Garbizo is almost fully recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament he sustained last year at the Jungle Queen Invitational, which was held at Cardinal Gibbons.

• The Chiefs (25-1), undefeated against Florida teams this year, beat the Raiders (23-3) in March -- but showed some vulnerability in losing the first game 25-23.

Not that the sides are expecting a big game Thursday or anything.

''It's always an intense rivalry between these two schools,'' DiPierro said.

But those links aren't the only intensity builders. Because only district champions advance to the first round of the state tournament -- a fact that frustrates both coaches, at least a bit -- one of the state's best teams will be done after Thursday.

So, to Garbizo, ''We're just looking to win'' -- rivalry or no rivalry.

''This would be huge to beat them, because as I see it, right now they're probably the best team in the state,'' Garbizo said. ``So if we beat them, then we're doing pretty well for ourselves.''

The Raiders have done well for themselves -- their impressive record includes a victory over powerhouse Orlando Olympia at this year's Jungle Queen Invitational.

But, although DiPierro said ''it's fun to go up against your old coach and put our volleyball minds to battle,'' it would be even better if this third-year coach could get that first district victory against his old school.

With standouts such as senior Austin Belt and junior Nick Williams anchoring the Chiefs, it might be tough. But with seniors Garbizo, Lane Porter and Tommy Samartino on his side, DiPierro believes it is possible.

''Hopefully [we've] molded them into a good team,'' DiPierro said, ``and good enough to turn [the losing streak] around.''

• Also Thursday, Douglas will play host to Coral Glades for the District 8 title.

WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS

• Archbishop McCarthy d. Nova, 25-13, 25-12, 25-6: Armani Appolon had four service points, six kills and four blocks for the Mavericks (18-8) in the District 10 semifinal. Nick St. Thomas added nine service points, five aces and 12 digs, and Mike Redondo had four service points, 14 kills and five digs in the victory.

• Cypress Bay d. University, 25-19, 25-19, 25-19: The Lightning advances to the District 10 final against Archbishop McCarthy.

• Chaminade-Madonna d. South Broward, 25-19, 25-27, 24-26, 25-16, 15-12: Victor Schaefer led the Lions (17-6) in the District 11 semifinal with 19 kills, 10 digs and nine service points. Paco Pruett added 15 kills, 11 service points and 11 digs, and Robbie Grimes had 47 assists, 10 service points and six digs.

• Cooper City d. Hollywood Hills, 27-25, 17-25, 25-18, 25-21: Travis Nichols led the Cowboys (15-2) into the District 11 final with 20 kills, three blocks, six service points and four aces. J.P. Palaez added 47 assists, three kills, three service points and an ace, and Travis Burch has 14 kills, a block, five service points and three aces.

THURSDAY'S SCHEDULE

BOYS' VOLLEYBALL

Coral Glades at Douglas, 7 (District 8 final)

St. Thomas at C. Gibbons, 7 (District 9 final)

Cypress Bay at A. McCarthy, 7 (Dist. 10 final)