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 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 match-up not only featured 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 two highly recruited, young and very decorated individuals.

Andrew stands 5-11 with strong hitting, serve and digging talents. Prieto is 6-2 with even stronger overall skills. As freshmen, each earned Miami Herald All County Player of the Year honors. They played like it in the series.

On Friday at Palmer in Miami, the Falcons won 25-20, 25-21, 15-25, 25-12. Prieto had 20 kills (four blocks) and three aces. Andrew had 18 kills (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 in Fort Lauderdale, Palmer Trinity showed that by winning in three 25-17, 25-18, 25-23. Prieto had 25 kills (nine blocks, four tips), five digs and three service points (ace). Andrew had 20 kills (three tips, two blocks), 14 digs, five service points (ace).

``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 semifinals, and Palmer beat the Eagles in the region finals.

• Saturday: Palmer Trinity d. Westminster Academy 25-17, 25-18, 25-23:

Palmer Trinity: Paulina Prieto 25 kills (nine blocks, four tips), five digs, three service points (ace); Sarah Alfonso 56 assists, six kills (five tips), eight service points; Lauren Buss seven kills (two blocks); Kristen Titley 11 service points (ace), five kills (two blocks, one tip); Danielle Littke one kill, three service points; Savannah Dominguez six kills (three blocks, two tips), three service points; Cecilia Leal 18 digs, four service points (two aces).

Westminster Academy: Leigh Andrew 20 kills (three tips, two blocks), 14 digs, five service points (ace); Ameila Bohlander eight kills (three blocks), three service points; Katie Hepp six service points (two aces), four kills (tip); Jennifer Walsh 15 digs; Megan Dunn two service points; Mckenzie Keightley seven kills (one block, one tip), one service point; Emily McMurtrey two kills (one tip, one block); Betsy Botkin one kill; Jillian Sherman one kill (one block).

• It was Senior Night for the Lions. Before and after the match, Westminster honored seniors Megan Dunn, Katie Hepp, Brenna Pelletier and Jennifer Walsh.

Former Westminster coach Tammy Schmitz Campbell congratulated her former players. Campbell, also the former varsity coach at Calvary Christian, is now the middle school coach at Calvary. She is a former standout volleyball player from Taravella High School.

Working as an official for the match was another former Broward County volleyball talent, Jen Gilbert, a Coral Springs High School alum. Calvary Christian senior star Kaylee Groeneveld attended the match.

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