Stevens a key for Columbus

Michael Stevens, an outside hitter for Columbus, was a sophomore when the Explorers made the trip to the state tournament in 2006. Facing Spanish River in the opener, the Explorers lost in straight sets, and Spanish River went on to win the title.

This year, the Explorers open against Olympia (23-2). Stevens, an All-Dade selection, is confident this team has what it takes to get past that first big hurdle.

''I think we want it more,'' Stevens said. ``We are a better team with more volleyball experience.''

Columbus started the season on a high note, defeating Southwest and Spanish River in back-to-back games to clinch the championship trophy at the Southwest Invitational.

''We are good under pressure,'' Explorers coach Rene Rodriguez said. ``If we can get Olympia to play five games, the advantage is with us.''

Although Stevens is the only returning starter from the 2006 team, Alex Lastra, the team's top setter, looks to anchor a balanced Explorers offense.

''I can set to any player and have 100 percent confidence in them,'' Lastra said. ``The Southwest Invitational showed glimmers of our potential. If we beat Olympia, we still have two tough games to play.''

Columbus, the District 14 champion, defeated Hialeah in four games to advance to Friday's quarterfinal match. The Explorers, joined by Southwest, look to join the Eagles as the only Dade teams to hold a title in boys' volleyball.

Southwest, the sports' inaugural state champion in 2003, will play Jupiter in the quarterfinals. The Eagles are coming off back-to-back, come-from-behind wins against crosstown rivals Sunset and Killian.

SCHOLAR-ATHLETES

Krop had two athletes make The Miami Herald's Scholar-Athlete honorable mention list. Swimmer Chen Lossos scored a perfect 1,600 on the SAT and is the valedictorian of the Lightning's senior class with a 4.0 grade-point average. Sara Egozi, a swimmer and water polo player, scored a 1,430 on her SAT and ranks fifth in a class of 864 students. Egozi's grade-point average is 3.863 and she is headed to Yale.

• Two Miami Beach athletes made The Miami Herald's Scholar-Athlete honorable mention list. Swimmer and tennis player Claire Austin will be going to Columbia University in the fall and Jose Mora (swimming and water polo) is undecided.