It had that big match feel because it was a big match.

The visiting St. Thomas Aquinas girls' varsity volleyball team defeated Cardinal Gibbons 17-25, 25-16, 25-15, 25-17 on Wednesday night.

With a huge crowd, some of Broward's top players in attendance and the return of legendary Gibbons' coach Louise Crocco as a spectator, the teams felt the energy.

Gibbons (14-2) felt it a little more in its gym, and the Chiefs started strong. Sophomore Katie Hillman had six service points with three aces as Gibbons took a 13-4 lead and never looked back in the opener.

Hillman also had two kills (one on a block, one on a tip). Senior Suzie Solenski had five kills (three off blocks), and junior Jessica Wynn added three kills. Courtney Buchanan, another senior, had two kills (one tip), and sophomore setter Caiti Donahoe was outstanding with many assists and three kills off tips.

Everything clicked in the first game, and the Chiefs looked like they were going to sweep easily.

``I was getting mad in the first game,'' St. Thomas senior Dee Dee Dennis said. ``I knew we could come back and win. We just had to come out harder, play more aggressive.''

The Raiders regrouped, picking up their play in the second game. St. Thomas coach Lisa Zielinski made an adjustment, and it worked.

St. Thomas (9-2) also took advantage when Gibbons' frontline standouts Solenski and Wynn were out of the rotation in games two and three. In the second game, an injury to Chiefs' back row specialist Eleni Bakatselos helped the Raiders, too.

``When Eleni went down, that was a momentum changer,'' Gibbons coach Kathryn Farland said. With Bakatselos out, Gibbons confronted some trouble on serve reception, effecting its offense.

``The girls learned something from this match and know what they have to do,'' Farland said. ``We have to move past it. Our ultimate goal is state.''

Trailing 13-10 in game two is when St. Thomas rallied. Senior Taylor Miller helped spark the comeback with two kills, and senior libero Anne Langsenkamp, who had 23 digs, reeled off nine service points.

Kelly Marble, a senior, had three of her six kills in the second game during Langsenkamp's run. Cassy Congemi and Dennis each had big kills, and the Raiders led 24-15.

In the third game, St. Thomas jumped ahead 14-7 with junior setter Lauren Spear (22 assists) recording five service points. Congemi and Miller had blocks and junior Crystal Dedes a kill.

Without Solenski and Wynn, Langsenkamp added four more service points with Congemi, Dennis and Miller combining blocks for a 10-point cushion, 19-9. Miller's tip sealed the win in game three.

After Wynn had no kills in game two and Solenski none in game three, they combined for seven kills in the fourth game. St. Thomas countered in game four with freshman Allison Bellanger (four kills, one block, one service point), Dennis (four kills, one block), Congemi (three kills, one block, eight service points), Marble (three kills) and Miller (three kills).

Dedes, who starred for Gibbons last season, totaled six blocks for the Raiders. Marble finished with 14 assists, 12 digs, three service points, two aces and 13 kills including the match clincher.

This marked the third straight season St. Thomas beat the Chiefs.

Longtime Gibbons sports coordinator Paula Ferrante returned to watch the match. Westminster Academy standout Leigh Andrew and Calvary Christian talent Kaylee Groeneveld were two of Broward's players also in attendance.

St. Thomas Aquinas: Lauren Spear 22 assists, nine service points, three aces; Kelly Marble 14 assists, 13 kills, 12 digs, three service points, two aces; Dee Dee Dennis eight kills (two on blocks); Cassy Congemi seven kills (four on blocks), 14 digs, 10 service points and an ace; Crystal Dedes six kills (one on tip), six blocks; Allison Bellanger 13 digs, six service points, four kills (one on block); Anne Langsenkamp 23 digs, 16 service points; Kelsey Kissane one kill; Mary McNerney one service point; Taylor Miller seven kills (one on block, one on tip); Rachel Stine two service points.

Cardinal Gibbons: Kristina Hanson 13 digs, four service points; Jessica Wynn nine kills (one on tip), three service points; Katie Hillman nine kills (three on blocks, one on tip), 10 service points, four aces; Caiti Donahoe 31 assists, 15 digs, seven kills (four on tips, three on blocks); Courtney Buchanan 15 digs, five kills (one on tip), three service points, two aces; Suzie Solenski 11 kills (six on blocks); Molly Macek 19 digs, 10 service points; Mary Kate Short three kills (two on tips).

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