Deja vu almost.

Earlier in the regular season, Pine Crest beat North Broward Prep to get some measure of revenge for losing last season's region semifinal on a controversial reversal call in the fifth game.

On Wednesday, the stakes were high, and North Broward Prep came from behind again in five -- with no controversy -- to defeat its rival 19-25, 18-25, 25-22, 25-23, 18-16 in the District 14-3A semifinal at Pompano.

Last season, Pine Crest beat the Eagles in the district final and then lost to them on `the call' in the fifth game of the rematch in the region semifinal. This time there is no playoff rematch as NBP eliminated the Panthers earlier, in this district semifinal.

``We won it fair and square,'' said NBP senior libero Krista Lighter. ``This is amazing. It was a great match. We're in, and they're out.''

Trailing two games to none, seniors Katelyn Hummel, Devin Rawiszer and Lighter sparked the comeback in game three. Then, sophomores Kristi Chynoweth and Victoria McPherson powered the win in game four, and everyone played a part in the nail-biting fifth game.

McPherson had five kills and a service point in the fifth game. Rawiszer had a kill. Hummel had an ace. Lighter had two points (ace). Christine Smith had two service points, and Chynoweth a service point, two kills, a block and the winning tip.

``Coach [Terri Jimenez] has a saying, `Hit it smarter, not harder,''' said the smart 6-0 Chynoweth, who played well throughout with 23 kills (six blocks, two tips).

McPherson, who had 23 kills, nine service points (ace), caught fire in game four, hitting smarter and harder with 11 kills. Chynoweth added seven. In game three, Hummel had 11 service points (three aces) and Lighter six service points (ace) and a kill.

In the first two two games, senior Tatiana Berger totaled 11 kills and played well defensively for Pine Crest (14-10) along with young defensive talents Carolina Berger (her sophomore sister) and Catalina Jimenez, a freshman.

Tatiana Berger had three kills (tip) and three service points in game five. Senior E'Leyna Garcia added two kills (block), and senior setter Taylor Bracco had two service points in that fifth game.

In the opener, freshman Evita Conway and Garcia had kills with Carolina Berger serving to give the Panthers a lead, 22-19. Conway and Garcia combined on a block to go ahead 24-19, and Tatiana Berger added the winning kill. Chynoweth had five kills (two blocks) and Rawiszer five service points (ace) and two kills. Mac Kennedy, an eighth grader, added three kills (tip).

In game two, Carolina Berger and Jimenez anchored a strong defense and served well. Katie Cundy had two kills down the stretch with Garcia serving, and Tatiana Berger again ended the game with a kill.

In the third game, Rachel Graf had a block to give Pine Crest a four-point lead, 19-15, to end North Broward Prep's first rally. Kyra Baum played well defensively.

Chynoweth had seven kills (two blocks, tip), and Hummel and Lighter combined for 12 service points and two aces as the Eagles would not quit. Garcia had a tip for the Panthers to even things at 22. A sideout later, Rawiszer had a key kill for a two-point lead, 24-22, and McPherson gave NBP new life with an ace to win it.

In game four, McPherson played inspired, jumping higher and closer to the net. She dominated with 11 kills including the game winner. Chynoweth added seven kills with one to put the Eagles ahead 24-23. Jimenez served an ace for Pine Crest to even things at 23, before Chynoweth and McPherson's kills.

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