It was almost deja vu.

Earlier this season, Pine Crest beat North Broward Prep to get some measure of revenge for losing last season's region semifinal on a controversial reversal call in the fifth game.

On Wednesday, North Broward Prep came from behind again -- with no controversy -- to win 19-25, 18-25, 25-22, 25-23, 18-16 in the District 14-3A semifinal at Pompano, which is the team it will face in the final.

Last season, Pine Crest beat the Eagles in the district final and then lost to them on the controversial call in the fifth game of the rematch in the region semifinal. This time there is no playoff rematch as NBP eliminated the Panthers earlier, in this district semifinal.

``We won it fair and square,'' NBP senior libero Krista Lighter said. ``This is amazing. It was a great match. We're in, and they're out.''

Trailing two games to none, seniors Katelyn Hummel, Devin Rawiszer and Lighter sparked the comeback in game three. Then, sophomores Kristi Chynoweth and Victoria McPherson powered the win in game four, and everyone played a part in the nail-biting fifth game.

McPherson had five kills and a service point in the fifth game. Rawiszer had a kill. Hummel had an ace. Lighter had two points an ace. Christine Smith had two service points, and Chynoweth a service point, two kills, a block and the winning tip.

``Coach [Terri Jimenez] has a saying, `Hit it smarter, not harder,' '' said the 6-0 Chynoweth, who played well throughout with 23 kills (six blocks, two tips).

McPherson, who had 23 kills, nine service points (ace), caught fire in game four, hitting harder and smarter with 11 kills. Chynoweth added seven. In game three, Hummel had 11 service points (three aces) and Lighter six service points (ace) and a kill.

• With an improved Pompano in the district, Pine Crest and North Broward Prep had a challenge.

In the regular season, Pine Crest beat North Broward Prep in three games. Pompano beat Pine Crest in three games, and North Broward Prep beat Pompano in four games.

Pompano received the important top seed by virtue of a third tiebreaker (most away district wins). The Tornadoes had two, and NBP and Pine Crest each had one.

The Tornadoes (13-8) reached their first district final and region quarterfinal by beating Coral Springs Charter 25-11, 25-18, 25-13 in the other semifinal on Wednesday.

The Tornadoes took advantage of their height over Coral Springs Charter, especially in the middle. 6-2 Raneisha Lamar and 6-0 Lauren Gillespie combined for 21 kills.

They had five kills in game one, eight kills in game two and eight more in game three.

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