Florida Christian setter Christine Lozano spent the past couple of weeks absorbing every moment of Olympic volleyball.

Inspired by the United States' dominance in beach and indoor volleyball, Lozano said she's been planning her own golden moment for this November.

''I watched almost every U.S. women's match,'' Lozano said. ``Then there was the guys team won. I loved it when Misty [May-Treanor] and Kerri [Walsh] won the gold. They were so excited and happy. My goal as a senior is to go out on top like they did.''

Lozano, 5-8, leads a group that returns all six starters this season, and has its sights set on a second trip to the Class 3A state final four in three years.

No Miami-Dade County team has won a state title in girls' volleyball in 13 years.

But the Patriots, who were ousted from the playoffs in a five-game regional final against Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest just want the chance.

''We didn't lose anyone from last year's team and we've all been very committed to getting back to state,'' said Lozano, who totaled 619 assists and 152 digs as a junior. ``We still feel the pain from that loss.''

A BALANCED SQUAD

Florida Christian made its first trip to state in 2006 relying heavily on the hitting prowess of Samantha Seco, the county's Class 4A-1A Player of the Year that season. After a season of starting together, Lozano thinks this year's team won't let opponents key on any one hitter.

''All of our hitters can put away the ball consistently,'' Lozano said. ``They can pass, serve, dig and play strong defense.''

Seniors Cristina Abreu, 5-8, and Stephanie Rodriguez, 5-6, will be the bookends on the outsides. Abreu had 241 kills and 37 blocks last season, and Rodriguez had 132 kills and 59 aces.

The Patriots will also have solid middle hitters in juniors Meghan Doyle and Evelyn Morgado, and senior Kaley Bueno will be counted on for depth. Morgado and Bueno, who also start on the softball team, each had more than 125 kills. Doyle had 198 kills and was one of the team's top servers with 45 aces.

The Patriots' region includes improved squads from Ransom Everglades and Gulliver, as well as Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. If it survives that road, a rematch with Pine Crest is possible. Florida Christian has faced them each of the past three seasons in the regional final.

The Patriots will play Pine Crest during the regular season and compete against some of the state's top-tier teams at the Orlando Bishop Moore Invitational in early October.

''The way we look at it, it's us against the entire schedule, not Pine Crest,'' Abreu said. ``We definitely want to play them again, but we have to get there first.''

THE BIG PICTURE

A couple of Florida Christian's toughest Miami-Dade opponents -- Westminster Christian and Palmer Trinity -- will be battling for a trip to state in Class 2A.

Palmer got the best of Westminster twice last season, beating the Warriors in district and in the regional semifinals. The Falcons return All-Dade 6-2 freshman outside hitter Paulina Prieto, who had 282 kills and 95 blocks last season.

The Warriors, however, return plenty of underclassmen talent that could turn the series in their favor this season.

Senior outside hitter Taylor Chao (17 kills per match in 2007) and sophomore Julie Trembley (15 kills per match) anchor a tall front line, while sophomore Rebecca Acevedo starts at the setter position. All three are 5-11.

Killian has been the county's Class 6A representative at state the past three seasons. The Cougars lost all but four players from last year's roster, making this year's race a free-for-all.

Lourdes and Ferguson -- two teams with little playoff experience in recent years -- appear to be the favorites to make it to Lakeland.

Ferguson made its first regional playoff appearance in school history last season behind returning starters, and sisters, Kristin and Alex Walewski. Lourdes hasn't made it out of its district since 2004. But the return of several starters including senior outside hitter Olivia Fernandez has Bobcats fans excited.

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