For the third consecutive season, the Palmer Trinity girls' volleyball team is performing at its best in the playoffs.

And it once again helped them win the decisive encounter with their biggest rival.

Led by senior setter Sarah Alfonso's sharp setting, and sophomore Paulina Prieto's 12 kills, host Palmer Trinity defeated Westminster Christian, 25-21, 25-9, 25-20 in a Region 4-2A semifinal.

The Falcons (27-2) dispatched the Warriors from the playoffs for the third consecutive season, and won three of four meetings with the Warriors for the second year in a row.

Palmer Trinity will try to clinch its second consecutive trip to the state final four when it travels to Fort Lauderdale to play Westminster Academy Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Region 4-2A final. The Falcons beat Westminster Academy twice in late October.

• Region 4-6A semifinal -- Krop d. Hialeah, 25-17, 25-15, 25-18: With the victory, Krop will host Ferguson in the regional final Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Lightning were happy to be taking the court with a healthy Brittany Dubins again, as Tuesday's match was Dubins' first action at full strength since suffering a leg injury three weeks ago.

Dubins led Krop with 19 kills and four assists and Jessyca Schiffman contributed 39 assists and six digs.

``We had a lot of different girls step up,'' Krop coach Caron Schiffman said. ``I think by us having some girls go down to injury, it allowed some of the other girls to get some valuable playing experience and confidence.''

The Lightning also had Stephanie Harris and Dylan Yarchin contribute as Harris finished with 10 kills and three blocks and Yarchin added eight digs.

-- J.T. WILCOX

• Region 4-6A semifinal -- Ferguson d. Lourdes, 25-15, 31-29, 25-15: This is not a time for Ferguson volleyball coach Greg Shanower to be a procrastinator.

The stakes are too high for the Falcons now that they defeated Lourdes (16-13) 25-15, 31-29, 25-15 in a Region 4-6A semifinal to inch themselves closer to a trip to Lakeland.

``I haven't wanted to book rooms or even look anything up, but I guess I have to now,'' Shanower said of his team's possible trip to state. ``It is a gamble, one we must take and hope the dice roll in our favor.'' The Falcons rolled past Lourdes and will now face cross-town rival Krop (24-2) Saturday afternoon for that highly coveted trip north.

Senior outside hitters Alexandra Beverly and Alexandra Walewski combined for 28 kills in that straight-set win. Beverly added four blocks in the match while Walewski chipped in 16 digs.

-- MELISSA MARTI

• Region 4-3A semifinal -- Hollywood 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

• Region 4-4A semifinal -- Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons d. Mater Academy, 25-11, 25-13, 25-17: It wasn't a matter of Mater Academy playing poorly -- the Lions simply ran into a Cardinal Gibbons squad that was nearly flawless.

Despite a valiant effort from the Lions, Gibbons' net play was too much in Wednesday's Region 4A semifinal action as the host Chiefs swept their way into the round of eight.

``Cardinal Gibbons is a perennial powerhouse, and they simply played like it tonight,'' Mater coach Zeida Davila said. ``We had a great season, plus a run of 50 wins in the last two years, with a team filled with seniors. We just didn't have enough to keep up with Gibbons tonight.''

The Chiefs (23-2) were especially dangerous on the frontline, with Jessica Wynn leading the way with 17 kills. Katie Hillman had 12 kills and Suzie Solenski was a perfect 10-for-10 in kill attempts. Caiti Donahue had hand in two-thirds of the Chiefs points with 50 assists.

Mater's Maria Madrid and Jenna Isaacs finished with eight and seven kills, respectively to lead the Lions.

-- CONCEPCION LEDEZMA

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