LAKELAND -- Palmer Trinity volleyball coach William Gonzalez gathered his players in a huddle following Thursday's Class 2A state championship game and told them to be proud of their season.

Palmer Trinity had just lost 25-18, 25-12, 25-17 to a dominant First Academy team, and his message fell on several teary-eyed faces disappointed by the loss.

But there also were smiles and reasons to celebrate. Palmer Trinity finished the season with a 24-8 record and became the first Miami-Dade volleyball team to win at state since 2002 after defeating Tampa Prep in the semifinals Wednesday.

More importantly, Palmer Trinity's six seniors, five of whom played on the 2005 team that lost in the state semifinals, finished their high school careers with a trophy, even if it wasn't the one plated in gold.

''It's really an amazing experience,'' senior middle hitter Laura Posada said. 'You know how when people say `You don't know what it's like until you're there?' It's really true. You have no idea how exhilarating it is to be on that court until you're there. It means so much. It was great way to end my high school career.''

Palmer Trinity would have been the first Miami-Dade state champion since Sunset in 1995, but First Academy was just too powerful to overcome.

A day after defeating Maclay 25-6, 25-7, 25-8 in the semifinals, First Academy jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the first game against Palmer Trinity on Thursday.

Palmer Trinity freshman Paulina Prieto answered with a kill and then ran off seven consecutive service points to help the Falcons take a 9-8 lead, but that was the only time Palmer Trinity led.

First Academy finished with an attack percentage of .455 and outblocked Palmer Trinity 14-2. Palmer Trinity's defense was in disarray all match while trying to handle First Academy's serves. First Academy ended the match with 13 aces, and even the serves Palmer Trinity managed to handle left the offense way off the net.

''We faced a great team, a team that played a system of game that was very fast,'' Gonzalez said through interpreter and assistant coach Lauren Santa Cruz. ``Unfortunately, our defense wasn't the best [Thursday] and that was where we lost control of the game.''

Prieto led Palmer Trinity with seven kills, three aces and a block, senior outside hitter Hailey Wood had six kills and Posada had five.

Even when the outcome of the match was clear, with First Academy leading 19-11 in the third game, Palmer Trinity continued to fight.

Palmer Trinity scored five consecutive points to cut its deficit to 19-16. The effort wasn't enough to win, but it was the kind of play Gonzalez said got his team to the state finals in the first place.

''We congratulated them and we recognized their efforts and we made them understand it was a good season,'' Gonzalez said. ``You can't let the loss put us back. It can't be a negative experience in such a beautiful season that we had.''

Sitting beside the podium after the game, Posada was one of the players who showed mixed emotions, crying over the loss and the end of her career but smiling and laughing about what her team accomplished.

Prieto sat next to her with a similar expression, although she was looking to the future.

Prieto will be back for three more years, and, after seeing what it takes to win, hopes it won't be long before Palmer Trinity turns silver into gold.

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