For the past couple of years, one of the goals that the Florida Christian girls' volleyball team had was to reach the state tournament. This year, the Patriots can cross that goal off their mental checklist.

Behind strong frontcourt play, very few mistakes and good passing, the Patriots were able to defeat North Broward Prep 25-12, 25-21, 27-29, 25-17 to advance to the FHSAA 3A Girls' Volleyball Tournament.

Cristina Abreu had 15 kills, eight service points and five digs for Florida Christian, and Megan Doyle tallied 13 kills, five blocks and four digs.

Christine Lozano had 39 assists and seven digs, Stephanie Rodriguez finished with nine kills, six digs and 10 service points.

Evelyn Morgado had eight kills and seven blocks, and Kaley Bueno had eight kills as Florida Christian (28-2) advance to the State 3A tournament for the second time in three years.

''We knew we had to pass, serve well and limit our errors,'' said Florida Christian head coach Beth King. ``When we did, we were able to get them out of their game.

``Our mission since 2006 was to go back to state. It was cut short last season, but we pulled through.''

Victoria McPherson had 19 kills and four blocks for North Broward Prep, and Olivia Mesner added 14 kills and five blocks. Krista Lighter had 32 digs, and Katelyn Hummel had 40 assists.

It was the fourth regional final appearance for the Patriots, who lost to Ft. Lauderdale Pine Crest in the regional finals.

Lozano the Pine Crest loss became a motivational tool as soon as the game finished.

''Even on that same day,'' Lozano said, ''we said we would do whatever we can this whole year,'' to go back and make it to state.''

North Broward Prep finished its season 21-7. The Eagles, who at one point won just two games, before Jimenez took over the program, have made the Regional playoffs the last three years under head coach Terri Jimenez.

Saturday's regional final is the furthest the team has made it in the playoffs.

''It's all about doing your best, and our girls did our best today,'' Jimenez said. ``The girls fought hard. Florida Christian is chock full of seniors that want to get to state. They came prepared, were fast and skillful.''

CROSS-COUNTRY

It's four region titles and counting for Westminster Christian's Nicole Carpio. The bad news for the competition is that Carpio is still only a freshman.

On Saturday, Carpio opened up a 500-meter gap by the 1.5 mile mark and cruised to the Region 4-1A title at the Westminster Academy Sports Complex in 20:04.

The top 15 finishers and top six teams advance to the FHSAA Finals Nov. 22 at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City.

That is when Carpio will get another shot at Holy Trinity's Kayla Hale, the reigning Class 1A state champion. In their lone matchup this season, Hale, ranked No. 4 by flrunners.com, pulled away late for the victory.

''I'm going to have to hang with Kayla Hale and work it out from there,'' said Carpio, who is ranked No. 5. ``I stayed with her throughout the race until the end, when she out-kicked me. She has an edge, but I am going to try for time. She is real good.''

Carpio's first region title came as a sixth-grader for Westminster Christian in 2005. After defending her title a year later, Carpio transferred to Gulliver Prep where she won the Region 4-2A crown before transferring back to Westminster Christian this season.

Florida Christian sophomore Mollie Felder finished a distant second to Carpio in 21:31 to earn a third consecutive trip to states. Behind Mollie, Michelle Figueroa (fourth, 21:52), and Mollie's sister Haley Felder (12th, 22:45), Florida Christian earned a third-place finish.

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