St. Thomas Aquinas defeated host Spanish River 25-20, 25-13, 25-16 in a Class 5A Region semifinal on Tuesday. Kelly Marble had 10 kills, nine digs, eight service points and three aces for the Raiders, who advance to face the Martin County-South Fork winner in the Region Finals on Nov. 14.

Crystal Dedes and Taylor Miller set the tone early, teaming up to block Spanish Rivers' best hitter Olivia Mefner to end the first game.

The Sharks battled closely with St. Thomas in that first game but Dee Dee Dennis' kill off a quick set by Lauren Spear sparked a late rally period. Marble and Dedes added kills as St. Thomas pulled away.

Allison Bellanger added 10 kills, seven digs and three service points for the Raiders. Dedes had seven kills and five blocks, and Spear had 24 assists, six digs and 13 service points.

The Raiders (22-3) took charge quickly in Game 2. Marble had six service points with three aces, and Spear, who closed the game serving, also had six service points. Freshman Allison Bellanger had five kills in Game 2, and Dedes, Dennis and Miller added kills, working the balanced attack much better.

• Class 6A: Boca Raton d. Douglas 13-25, 25-17, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13: The host Bobcats overcame a 14-8 deficit in the fourth game and a 9-4 deficit in the deciding fifth game. Solid blocking by Victoria Ashley, Kirsten Kuhl and Aline Valiengo helped build the lead for Douglas in the fifth game.

Boca then countered with four kills, two off blocks, by Sofia Ellingsworth and four kills and an ace from Ruth Harrington to ignite the comeback.

In the fourth game, the hitting of Lindsey Knapp and serving of Harrington sparked the rally.

Douglas senior Kendall Putnam had six kills, two off tips, in the fourth game, and Kuhl had four kills, two off blocks in Game 5. Boca advances to face the West Broward-Hollywood Hills winner on Nov. 14.

• Region 6-3A semifinals -- Chaminade d. Ransom Everglades 28-26, 24-26, 25-9, 25-21: Riding a strong, season defining performance from sophomore Brianna O'Neil, Chaminade defeated Ransom Everglades 28-26, 24-26, 25-9, 25-21 Tuesday night to advance to the Class 3A regional final.

Chaminade will now travel to North Broward Prep for the regional final on Saturday.

O'Neil led the Lions (24-6) with 19 kills, 10 blocks, nine service points, and three assists.

Chaminade coach Jason Johnson said that their success Tuesday was largely due to the play of O'Neil.

``I was glad to see her come out and play that well,'' Johnson said. ``Earlier in the year she had some struggles, but she's worked hard and now she's our offensive leader. She stepped up for us tonight.''

--J.T. WILCOX

• North Broward Prep d. Pompano Beach 25-20, 25-19, 25-16 in the Region 4-3A semifinals and advanced to the regional finals for the second straight year.

This year, they want to get to the next level, the state final four at The Lakeland Center next Wednesday. One obstacle remains -- beating Chaminade on Saturday night.

Victoria McPherson dominated the game though with 20 kills, 9 service points, 2 blocks and 2 aces as the Golden Tornadoes had no answer for her powerful kills. Devon Rawiszer had a big night too with 16 service points and 7 kills. Katelyn Hummel had 35 assists to lead NBP.

``We worked really hard the last five practices,'' North Broward Prep coach Terri Jimenez said. ``We put in a lot of hours the girls were really prepared. They finally bought in that they have to work hard to get where we want to go and that's states. We are really happy with the result.

``We are stepping up in tourney time.''

-- RUDY RODRIGUEZ-CHOMAT

• Class 1A - Lake Worth Christian d. Highlands Christian 25-13, 25-16, 25-14: Kelley Ray had four kills, and Lexie Grizzle added four service points and nine digs for the Knights (18-8) in the loss. Katelyn Wik had three service points, four digs and four kills.

• Class 6A - Hollywood Hills d. West Broward 25-17, 25-21, 22-25, 21-25, 15-13: Hollywood Hills narrowly escaped a West Broward comeback attempt, surviving for a 3-2 victory in a Class 6A regional semifinal at Attucks Middle School on Tuesday night. Hills led 13-12 in the fifth set when senior middle blocker Taylor Miller was called for touching the net on a spike attempt, tying the game at 13-13.

Instead of getting frustrated, she made sure her next triescounted. Miller smashed two balls to the floor to earn the win.

-- EVAN DREXLER

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