Miami Christian followed a flawed fourth set with a phenomenal fifth Tuesday to defeat Redland Christian 25-18, 22-25, 25-21, 11-25, 15-10 at home in a Region 4-1A semifinal.

It was the Victors' third win against Redland this season.

Miami Christian (21-3) enjoyed an 8-0 run in the deciding set behind the deep serves of Andrea Garcia, wrestling the momentum from the Falcons (16-4).

``We knew we had to go extreme -- either really short or really deep,'' said Miami Christian coach Mary K. Odio. ``We've been practicing for weeks on it.''

Nicole Beckelheimer broke a 14-14 first-set tie with seven unreturnable serves in eight points, including an ace off the net that gave Miami Christian an insurmountable 22-14 lead.

The Falcons rebounded when senior Kaylyn Carr started and ended the second set with three consecutive service points. One of Beckelheimer's 25 kills clinched the third set for the Victors. But the quick-footed Karlee Carr, Kaylyn's younger sister, sparked a 15-3 Redland run in the fourth. Garcia and Beckelheimer, both juniors, rallied the Victors to a 9-1 lead in the deciding set. Garcia's depth on serve prevented the Carrs from attacking and allowed Beckelheimer to take over. The middle blocker recorded six kills and four blocks in the final set.

``I felt like I could end it,'' Garcia said. ``But it wasn't only me. The hitting was great.''

Already enjoying their first district championship since 2000, the Victors will be playing Saturday for their first regional title in 20 years.

FOOTBALL

Allen Hurns always liked the Hurricanes. But when it came to the recruiting process, he wanted to make sure he had seen all he wanted from other schools before making a commitment.

After taking a weekend trip to West Virginia, the 6-3, 180-pound senior receiver from Carol City decided he had seen enough and called Hurricanes coaches Monday night to tell them he was ready to join the family.

``West Virginia was a great trip. Those guys were great. But I realized I just love Miami more,'' said Hurns, rated a three-star recruit by Rivals and ESPN.com.

``I called coach [Aubrey] Hill and coach [Randy] Shannon last night, and I told them I was ready to be a Cane.''

Hurns caught 23 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns last season as a junior and was expected to flourish this season. But in the second week, he tore the meniscus in his left knee.

In six quarters of play against the Bulls and Tornadoes, two of the best teams in Dade, he caught seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown.

``I had surgery six weeks ago, and they told me I'd be out about six to eight weeks,'' Hurns said.-- MANNY NAVARRO

• Saturday -- Westminster Christian 28, Marathon 7: The Warriors had to battle all four quarters to get a homecoming win and clinch their first playoff berth since 2003.

Jeremy Williams led the ground attack with 13 carries for 110 yards and two fourth quarter touchdowns that sealed the win for Westminster Christian (7-1, 5-1).

Jameel Middlebrooks also had 12 carries for 66 yards. Quarterback David Thompson went 9 for 20 for 125 yards and a 36-yard pass to Dylan D'Adesky that broke a 7-7 deadlock with three seconds left the third quarter.

-- JUAN ARANGO

BOYS' SOCCER

• Gulliver 5, Coral Shores 0: Francisco Canel had two goals, one assist. Carlo Giachino had one goal. Nicolas Roque had a shutout. GUL 1-0.

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