LAKELAND -- After making the Class 3A state volleyball finals in 2006 and missing out last year, Florida Christian and its seven seniors wanted to get back to The Lakeland Center for another chance to play for a state championship.

Florida Christian got that opportunity in the semifinals Friday, but one of the best teams in the nation was standing in its way.

Florida Christian lost 25-11, 25-12, 25-15 to Berkeley Prep, the 11th-ranked team in the nation, according to PrepVolleyball.com.

''This season as a whole looking back, it's been a great season,'' Florida Christian coach Beth King said. ``We have a lot of seniors on this team, and this was one of our missions, to make it back to state to have a chance to play for it all. We are proud of that fact.''

Florida Christian finished 28-3, and its seniors were a big part of the attack in the semifinals. Cristina Abreu and Kaley Bueno had five kills each, and setter Christine Lozano finished with 20 assists and nine digs. Junior Evelyn Morgado led the team with seven kills.

Florida Christian couldn't overcome a Berkeley Prep attack that featured solid players at every position.

Freshman outside hitter Jordan Burgess had 14 kills, three service aces and 11 digs. Junior middle hitter Lindsay Young had nine kills and junior outside hitter Chelsea Parker and freshman right-side hitter Mackenzie Dagostino had seven each.

Setter Christina Theofilos, Berkeley Prep's only senior, finished with 30 assists and nine digs.

''Definitely not the outcome we wanted,'' King said. ``It seemed like at certain points of the match they got runs of points on us that just seemed quick, and we found ourselves down. Once you dig yourself a hole against good teams, it's hard to come back from that deficit.''

Florida Christian trailed 17-7 in the first game after an 11-1 run by Berkeley Prep, and it faced an 18-7 deficit in the second game.

Despite facing a two-game deficit, Florida Christian played tough in the third game, taking a 6-1 lead.

Berkeley Prep made a run to take the lead, but Florida Christian cut its deficit to 18-15 before Berkeley Prep scored seven consecutive points to win the match.

Florida Christian's biggest advantage entering the match was experience, starting four seniors and three juniors. Berkeley Prep had just one senior and 10 freshmen and sophomores.

Despite the youth, Berkeley Prep went 26-2 in the regular season, with its only losses coming against Mercy (Ky.), PrepVolleyball.com's No. 1 team, and state Class 6A champion Timber Creek.

Berkeley Prep, from Tampa, will play four-time defending state champion Lake Highland Prep on Saturday. Berkeley Prep defated Lake Highland Prep twice during the regular season.

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