To wind down the regular season and tune up for the playoffs, which begin Monday, South Florida powers Miami Palmer Trinity and Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy battled in a home-and-home girls' volleyball series on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

``It was better to play them now than earlier in the season,'' Palmer coach William Gonzalez said. ``The better competition will help us get better. We respect them.''

The matchup featured not only two of the top Class 2A teams in the state but also two of the biggest stars on the Florida volleyball circuit. Sophomores Leigh Andrew (Westminster Academy) and Paulina Prieto (Palmer Trinity) are highly recruited and decorated individuals.

Andrew is 5-11 with strong hitting, serving and digging skills. Prieto is 6-2 with strong overall skills. As freshmen, each earned Miami Herald All-County Player of the Year honors.

On Friday at Palmer, the Falcons won 25-20, 25-21, 15-25, 25-12. Prieto had 20 kills, four blocks and three aces. Andrew had 18 kills and three blocks.

``Both teams didn't play their game on Friday,'' Prieto said. ``Saturday was a better indication, but we can't get cocky. We have to work hard and show we want it more each time.''

On Saturday at Westminster Academy, Palmer Trinity showed that by winning in 25-17, 25-18, 25-23. Prieto had 25 kills, nine blocks, four tips, five digs and three service points. Andrew had 20 kills. three tips, two blocks, 14 digs and five service points.

``This was awesome, great competition for us,'' Westminster coach Katie McCrath said. ``They have a really good solid block and are a real offensive threat.''

The Falcons did a better job passing and did not allow Westminster to mount any sustainable rallies until midway in the third game on Saturday. If Palmer Trinity and Westminster Academy meet again, the stakes will be much higher in the region finals -- on Nov. 14 -- with a berth to the state Final Four on the line.

``We will be totally focused and give them a better match next time,'' Andrew said. ``But our next goal is our next game. Once we get out of districts, we know we'll have to step it up.''

Last season, the Falcons reached the state finals, finishing second to Orlando-First Academy. Prior, Calvary Christian upset the Lions in the region semifinal, and Palmer beat the Eagles in the region finals.

• Saturday: Palmer Trinity d. Westminster Academy 25-17, 25-18, 25-23: Paulina Prieto 25 kills, nine blocks, four tips, five digs and three service points; Sarah Alfonso 56 assists, six kills, five tips and eight service points; Lauren Buss seven kills, two blocks; Kristen Titley 11 service points, five kills, two blocks and one tip.

For Westminster, Andrew 20 kills, three tips, two blocks, 14 digs, five service points; Amelia Bohlander eight kills, three blocks; Katie Hepp six service points and four kills; Jennifer Walsh 15 digs.

• Late Friday -- MacArthur North 22, Upperroom Christian 10: MacArthur North beat Upperroom Christian in a District 8-1B game at Oswald Park in Fort Lauderdale.

MacArthur improves to 5-1. Its defense has allowed just 28 points in six games. Just after MacArthur quarterback Brandon Turner was taken out of the game with an injury, junior quarterback Dedrick Dukes filled in and completed a 50-yard touchdown pass to Daryl Baker. MacArthur increased its lead 14-8 with 3:03 left in the third.

-- AMANDA

NICOLE BROWN

MORE SCORES

• Late Friday -- Doral 42, Coral Shores 6; Key West 31, Edison 10; Palmer Trinity 43, Princeton Christian 0; Marathon 49, Florida Christian 9.

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