The Florida Christian girls' volleyball team has been on the losing end of some very close and tough matches the last two seasons in the playoffs.

In 2006, when some of their current seniors were sophomores, the Patriots lost to eventual state champion Lake High Land Prep in the school's first state semifinal match.

''In 2006 the girls were sophomores, they knew they lost to a better team and they didn't have the same sense of urgency they have this year,'' said Florida Christian coach Beth King. ``With the girls being seniors there is a sense of urgency that their high school career is over and they're going to bring everything they got.''

The Patriots rebounded from their loss to Lake High Land and were able to put together a productive season in 2007. After crusing their way to the region 4-3A final, the team found itself in a dog fight against Broward County's Pine Crest.

Pine Crest jumped out to a two sets to one lead going into the fourth set. The Patriots battle back winning the set and was one set away from the state tournament. Pine Crest handed them a 15-10 loss in the final set and sent the Patriots home early.

''It was a roller coaster the momentum kept going back and forth. Both teams were really fighting,'' King said. ``That loss really hurt.''

This season the Patriots raced through the regular season but had close games in the regional semifinal and final.

In the semifinal Chaminade challenged Florida Christian but came up short losing 25-5, 21-25, 25-17, 27-25. In the region 4-3A final the Patriots played North Broward Prep and escaped the Eagles' talons 25-12, 25-21, 27-29, 25-19 to advance to the state tournament.

On Friday the Patriots will face Tampa's Berkeley Prep in the first round of the state tournament at Lakeland and King hopes this year doesn't play out like 2006.

''You know going into any game you have to be confident and be willing to work hard,'' King said. ``We've seen throughout the season that when we play hard and limit our errors we play good and that's what we're trying to bring to Lakeland.''

Even though history might not be on the Patriots side, the team has one big advantage: experience.

Six of the Patriots' seniors played on the 2006 team and still have the bitter taste of defeat in their mouths.

The teams co-captains, Christine Lozano and Stephanie Rodriguez, have taken much of the responsibilities. Rodriguez, the more vocal of the pair -- nicknamed ''team mom'' by her teammates -- is always looking after them. Rodriguez tries to make sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing outside of the court.

Lozano, the team's game-day leader, tries to play hard and make sure everyone is doing what they need to be doing in the game. The Patriots are a very close team but can be fiercely competitive also.

''We tend to be a close nit group -- they've been together for a while,'' King said. ``But it's a good close competitive atmosphere and they have a good time together.''

On Friday, when the Patriots take the court, some of them might be playing for their last time in high school. The senior-heavy team needs one more win to advance to the state final and finally play for the state title.

King knows winning a championship is difficult in Florida but at least she knows one thing about her team.

``They hate to lose.''

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