-- CONCEPCION LEDEZMA

• Royal Palm Beach d. Cypress Bay: After watching his team lose the Region 6A championship to Royal Palm Beach, Cypress Bay volleyball coach Barry Sikorski wasn't overly disappointed.

''We played like crazy. But they had an answer for everything we did,'' said Sikorski, who took the Lightning to the state tournament in 2002 and 2004. ``There is no shame losing to them.''

Cypress Bay finished the season 21-8. Royal Palm moves on to the state championships in Lakeland with a 25-9 record.

Led by the serving of Jessica Morrison, who had 13 service points and five aces, the Wildcats took three games of the best-of-5 match 25-18, 25-13 and 25-9. In the first game, Cypress Bay's Michelle Batista made four consecutive service points to help the Lightning gain a 10-7 lead. But following a Wildcat timeout, Royal Palm used its height advantage, which consisted of two six-footers, Marlecia Fuller and Shaina Abdell, to control the net and move ahead 16-13 on the way to the win.

Despite getting solid play from seniors Maria Baquerizo and Alejandra Dominguez, Cypress Bay couldn't match the team play of Royal Palm, which jumped to a 15-5 lead in the second game and a 13-5 lead in the third game.

''There is a real sisterhood among this team,'' said Royal Palm Beach coach Sal Cirano. 'We even have T-shirts that say, `Losing is not an option.' ''

-- BUTCH STALLINGS

• Palmer Trinity d. Calvary Christian: The Palmer Trinity Falcons are headed to the Class 2A final four -- again.

The Falcons downed Calvary Christian Academy on Saturday afternoon on their home court 3-1 to capture the Region 4-2A championship for the second time in four years.

Palmer traded point for point with the Eagles (18-8) in Game 4, but managed to stay a step ahead in the 25-12, 25-11, 22-25, 25-21 win.

''We did a good job of keeping our cool and playing controlled in the last game,'' Palmer Trinity coach William Gonzalez said. ``The girls knew what was at stake and had been working hard for the chance to get back to Lakeland.''

Freshman Paulina Prieto had a team-high 11 kills, while chipping in seven blocks, three aces and three digs.

''I'm so excited,'' Prieto said. ``This is all we ever really wanted. We started talking about it over the summer and would think about it while we ran the track.''

The Falcons (24-7) led 11-5 in Game 1 when they finally opened a lead behind the timely serving of Kristen Titley, whose three-point run gave Palmer a 14-5 lead.

Titley, a junior, added nine kills and eight digs.

''They were pretty tough,'' Titley said of Calvary. ``We got our offense going once they beat us in Game 3. It's so exciting to get back to Lakeland because when we last went, I was in eighth grade.''

Senior Laura Posada, who had four kills and two blocks, was a member of the 2005 team that last made an appearance in Lakeland.

Setter Sarah Alfonso had a dominant game with 56 assists, including a few key ones in Game 4 to seal the win.

-- MELISSA ARTEAGA

BOYS' SOCCER

• Hollywood Hills 4, Coconut Creek 1: Shleiden Renard led the Spartans (2-1) with two goals. Philip Renard and Jonathan Savinovich each had one goal.

• Sagemont 7, Somerset Academy 1: Blake Martinez led the Lions (2-1) with two goals. Axel Miranda had one goal and three assists. Jaime Thomas had one goal and two assists.

• Cypress Bay 1, Nova 1: Victor Sigala led the Lightning (1-0-1) with one goal. Roberto Desousa led the Titans (1-1-1) with one goal.

• Monarch 3, Martin County 2: Felipe Nascimento led the Knights (2-1) with one goal and one assist. Joao Mendes and Raphael Ferreira each had one goal.

• Cardinal Gibbons 2, Taravella 2: Eric Tarmey led the Chiefs (1-0-1) with one goal. Vincenzo Padula had one goal.

GIRLS' SOCCER

• University 1, Coral Springs Charters 1: Raquelle Newman scored the lone goal for the Sins (2-1-1). Dayna Naylor had an assist. Gillian Newman recorded five saves. Taylor Kuruc scored a goal for the Panthers (2-2-1).

• Martin County 4, Monarch 1: Alison Jagemann scored a goal for the Knights (0-5).

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