Neither Columbus sophomore Stefano Diaz nor Palmetto freshman Molly Barlow knew what to say when they realized they won Thursday afternoon at Redland Golf and Country Club.

But a few more performances like it will give them plenty of chances to rehearse their victory speeches.

Diaz, a sophomore, shot a 3-under par 69, and beat teammate Antonio Balducci and Palmetto's Casey Matthews to win the boys' individual Greater Miami Athletic Conference golf championship. In the process, he helped Columbus -- a runner-up to Palmetto the past five years -- secure its first GMAC team title since 2003.

The Explorers shot 285 as a team to finish 10 strokes ahead of Palmetto. Marcelo Huarte, typically Columbus' top finisher, shot a 71 to finish tied for fourth with South Miami freshman Chris DuPont.

``We've got a solid No. 1 golfer in Marcelo,'' Columbus coach Charles Frazier said. ``But Antonio and Stefano have been battling for the second spot the whole time. It adds to our depth, which has been our strength the past few years.''

The Panthers' girls, however, picked up some hardware for their school by winning their second consecutive team championship. Barlow shot a 93 to win her first individual title, edging Miami Springs' Kalyn Safreed by one stroke.

Barlow had never won an 18-hole tournament, and she and her teammates had only played twice before Thursday.

``I was so tired, but I thought I had done well,'' said Barlow, who shot 41 on the back nine after a 53 on the front. ``I think I got stronger late.''

Diaz hit a shot out of the bunker on the playoff hole to set up a birdie that beat Matthews and Balducci, who each shot par. Diaz became the first Columbus golfer to win the title since Greg Blackwell in 2003.

Columbus' victory followed a dual meet victory against Palmetto earlier this week. The two will play another duel meet next week, and likely vie for the top spots at the Youth Fair, districts and regional meets later this season.

``The last couple of years when playing Palmetto, we could play well, but we still thought we might lose,'' Diaz said. ``This year, we're confident if we play well, we'll come out with a victory.''

RESULTS

NOTE: x-won playoff hole

• Boys' team scores: 1. Columbus 285, 2. Palmetto 295, 3. Miami Springs 326, 4. Miami Beach 334, 5. South Dade 339.

• Boys' individual scores: x-1. Stefano Diaz (COL) 69; 2. Antonio Balducci (COL) and Casey Matthews (PAL) 69; 4. Chris DuPont (South Miami) and Marcelo Huarte (COL) 71; 6. Jaime Rodriguez (Braddock), Ryan Carter (PAL) and James Tria (PAL) 74.

• Girls' team scores: 1. Palmetto 442; 2. Miami Springs 456.

• Girls' individual scores: 1. Molly Barlow (PAL) 93; 2. Kalyn Safreed (MS) 94; 3. Brenda Aviles (Reagan) 95; 4. Kristin Gonzalez (Braddock) 96; 5. Michelle Haramboure (Varela) 103; 6. Kayla Campbell (PAL) 104.

GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL

• Hialeah Gardens d. Booker T. Washington 25-9, 25-20, 25-0: Andriana Martinezova led the Gladiators (2-5) with 22 aces, 10 assists and a kill. Yahindy Travieso had six aces and eight kills. Karen Rosales had seven aces, five digs and three digs.

• Carrollton d. St. Brendan 25-21, 20-25, 26-24, 25-14: Dani Coloma led the Cyclones (1-4) with five aces and eight kills. Sophia Gomez had eight kills and Ali Rovisoa had 37 digs.

• Miami Country Day d. Dade Christian 25-20, 25-19, 25-21: Samantha Sardinia led the Spartans (3-2) with eight kills and six blocks. Marissa Bolton had 11 kills and nine digs. Mallorie Thomas had 32 assists.

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