Posted on Fri, May. 02, 2008

Columbus defeated Coral Park 25-20, 22-25, 25-17, 25-19 on Wednesday to win the District 14-6A boys' volleyball championship.

Michael Stephens took a set from Jordi Fonts in the deciding match and spiked the ball to give top-seeded Columbus its second district championship in three years.

''Volleyball is all about momentum,'' Columbus coach Rene Rodriguez said.

After Coral Park won the second game 25-22, Columbus attacked the net. Stephens, who is the only remaining starter from the Explorers' last district championship team, led the way.

''He is our go-to guy,'' Rodriguez said of Stephens.

The Explorers jumped out to an 11-4 lead and never looked back.

Fonts had nine kills, Sergio Lozano had eight kills and Stevens had a team-high 12 kills.

BOYS' VOLLEYBALL

• District 13-6A Championship -- Hialeah d. Miami Springs 23-25, 19-25, 26-24, 25-15, 15-11: After losing the first two games of the match, the T-Breds rallied to win the last three games and the district championship. Jared Garzia had 13 kills and six blocks. Anthony Hatem had 38 assists. Jorge Casado had nine kills. Jorge Rios had nine digs.

• District 16 semifinal -- Palmetto d. Coral Reef 25-16, 25-10, 25-11: Daniel Cope led Panthers (21-5) with 20 assists, 10 aces and five kills. Matias Ulloa had seven kills and six blocks. Philip Bourraine had seven kills, four digs and two blocks.

• District 15 semifinal -- Southwest d. Braddock 25-16, 25-21, 25-11: For Southwest, Jonathan Roldan had 13 kills, eight digs and three aces. Danny Moreno had eight kills and five blocks. Carlos Lopez had nine kills and three aces.

• District 16-6A semifinal -- Killian d. Varela 25-16, 25-18, 16-25, 25-13: Eric Handscombe had 10 kills, 12 digs. David Espinosa had eight kills, 10 digs. Mauricio Palacios had 12 kills, six digs for the Cougars (19-3).

• District 15-6A semifinal -- Sunset d. Ransom 25-13, 25-18, 15-25, 19-25, 15-7: Alex Borges had 12 kills, 12 assists and 13 digs. Andrew Parra had 19 kills, eight blocks. Bryan Torrado had 17 digs for the Knights (18-8).

GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL

Redland Christian outside hitter Michelle Marraccini signed with the Miami Dade College volleyball team. Marraccini led Redland Christian (28-2) to a third-place finish at the Class 1A state championship. Marraccini, who also plays defense, earned second-team All-State honors this past season.

TUESDAY

REGION 4-1A QUARTERFINAL

CHAMPAGNAT 11,

FORT LAUDERDALE CHR. 0 (5)

FC 000 00 --0 5 1 Cham 331 05 --11 8 0

WP: Alex Sanchez (6-1). LP: Bramos. Top performers: Sanchez pitched a complete game and struck out seven. Sanchez was also 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Juan Carlos Diaz was 2 for 2 with a home run and two RBI. Jonathan Rivero was 1 for 3 with a walk off grand slam. Records: Cham 18-7-1.

TUESDAY

REGION 4-4A QUARTERFINAL

CARDINAL GIBBONS 3, PACE 2

Gibbons 000 021 0 --3 6 2 Pace 001 000 1 --2 7 3

WP: Eric Whaley (5-1). LP: Mark Alfonso. Top performers: Eric Whaley struck out seven. John Haberlein went 1 for 3 with a two-run single in the top of the fifth inning. The Chiefs visit Key West on Friday. Record: CG 21-8.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE

BOYS' VOLLEYBALL

District 12 at Krop -- Semifinals: Pace vs. Carol City, 4 p.m.; Hialeah-Miami Lakes vs. Krop, 5:30; Final: 7

District 15 final at Ransom: 7

District 16 final at Palmetto: Palmetto vs. Killian, 7