Columbus boys advance to state quarterfinals

The Columbus boys' volleyball team struggled to jell early Tuesday night, but when it was win or go home, the Explorers came together and defeated host Hialeah in four games.

The T-Breds pushed the Explorers (22-4) in each game of the FHSAA play-in match, but Columbus coach Rene Rodriguez pulled his team together for the eventual win 25-18, 23-25, 25-19, 25-16.

''The guys realized we had something to play for tonight,'' Rodriguez said. ``My setter and middle both did a real good job against a very scrappy, tough team with 19 wins.''

Setter Jordi Fonts led Columbus' varied attack with 12 kills and 20 assists. Middle hitter Nick Navarro added 16 kills, and Alex Lastra had 21 assists in the win.

''Jordi [Fonts] did all the little things to lead us tonight,'' Rodriguez said of his setter. ``Our timing was a little off, but he balanced our offense well with his passes and hard hits.''

After losing the second game, Columbus took the lead early in the third behind Mandy Fernandez's stifling defense. Fernandez, the Explorer libero, totaled 17 digs.

Outside hitters Michael Cano and Michael Stevens chipped in to add balance to the already hard hitting Columbus offense. Cano added 13 kills, Stevens nearly matched him with 12 of his own.

With the win, Columbus advances to the state tournament for the second time in three years.

For host Hialeah, Jared Garzia had 11 kills.

• Cooper City d. HML 21-25, 29-27, 22-25, 25-23, 15-8: To Cooper City coach Warren Denise, it was a battle of men against boys, but when the game was on the line his boys came through with a stunning 21-25, 29-27, 22-25, 25-23, 15-8 come-from-behind five set win against Hialeah-Miami Lakes at Cooper City.

The win advanced the Cowboys (18-2) to the state tournament, which starts Friday at Douglas High School.

Cooper City will play the winner of the Lake Mary-Apopka first round game.

HML was clearly the more athletic team and seemed to dominate play for much of the game, but the Trojans blew a seven-point lead in the second game and a six-point lead in the fourth game.

But the fifth game belonged to Cooper City as it scored seven of eight points after trailing 4-3 behind some excellent serving by David Meyer.

Travis Nicholas, Matt Dente and Travis Burch controlled play up front while Kyle Smith made some key digs as the Cowboys finished the comeback. Denise was at a loss for words following the game.

''Look at Miami Lakes, they look like men against boys and a lot of the time, the game played that way, but all the credit goes to my kids,'' Denise said. ``They really never let up and kept fighting.''

HML finished its season 22-4 advancing to the playoffs for the first time since 2004, but blew a chance at the state tournament for the first time in school history.

Angel Dache led the Trojans with 28 kills, 13 digs and six aces, and Jovanni Roman had 12 kills, 20 assists and 17 digs.

-- RUDY

RODRIGUEZ-CHOMAT

• Former South Miami center Abdul Herrera signed a national letter of intent with Kansas State University.

Herrera, 6-11, played for Hutchinson Community College in Kansas last season.

The signing gives the Wildcats and former Miami High coach Frank Martin three former Miami-Dade basketball standouts.

Herrera joins former Calusa Prep and University of Miami point guard Denis Clemente and former Krop forward Luis Colon.

• Former Hialeah guard Christina Rozier signed with the University of Washington this week.

Rozier was The Miami Herald's Girls' Basketball Class 6A-5A Player of the Year in 2006.

• Monsignor Pace had four of its baseball players sign letters of intent recently.

Pitcher Mark Alfonso signed with Barry University and pitcher Carlos Hechavarria signed with Palm Beach Atlantic.

Outfielder Jay Ascenio signed with St. John Community College, and catcher Rene Mateo signed with Felician College a Division II school in New York.

-- ANDRE C. FERNANDEZ

• Broward Senior All-Star game -- South 12, North 9: Miguel Quezedo (Pembroke Pines Charter) lead the South with five goals and was named mvp for the South. Chris Culver (Cooper City) added three goals.

GIRLS' WATER POLO

• Broward Senior All-Star game -- North 14, South 5: Elina Goldenberg (St. Thomas) led the North with four goals. Nadia Gargum (Northeast) added three goals.