Senior Brenna Pelletier served well and played very good defense to help the Westminster Academy girls' varsity volleyball team defeat Fort Pierce John Carroll 27-25, 25-14, 27-25 in a Region 4-2A quarterfinal on Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale.

Libero Jenny Walsh anchored that defense which also received quality play from all-around standout Leigh Andrew and Julia Appleby. The solid defensive performance, coupled with a good passing effort, spelled victory for the Lions against a team that beat them earlier in the season at the Martin County Tournament.

Andrew had 14 kills (tip), nine digs, nine service points (ace), and Pelletier had nine service points (three aces), eight digs and a kill. Walsh recorded 12 digs.

The Golden Rams (21-8) not only beat Westminster earlier in the season but also defeated Miami Palmer Trinity, another good Class 2A team, two games to one in a best-of-three finals at the Cardinal Gibbons Lady Chiefs Invitational.

None of that mattered as the Lions also hit well on Wednesday, winning the close games. Amelia Bohlander -- who had 13 kills (three blocks, two tips) and six service points (two aces) ) was a force up front and also at the service line.

``We worked hard in practice and had confidence,'' Bohlander said. ``We've gotten better since the last time we played them, and we've been working on our serving and passing. Coach [Katie McCrath] says that's what wins games.''

McCrath was right.

Bohlander added: ``We stepped up our passing. We served aggressively, and we shut them down.''

John Carroll did not shut down the Lions as setter Emily McMurtrey did a good job distributing the ball with 18 assists. She also had a kill off a tip and helped on a block. Her quick thinking with a quick set to Mckenzie Keightley ended game one.

Megan Dunn had three aces in the close opener, and Andrew totaled seven kills and an ace. Katie Hepp had two aces and a kill and Bohlander four service points (ace) and a kill.

In game two, Westminster dominated with balance. Bohlander had five kills (block, tip), Andrew four kills, Keightley two kills (block), Hepp one kill (tip) and McMurtrey two kills (tip, block). Pelletier had six service points (two aces) and Andrew five. Dunn, who finished with 10 assists and six service points, served the winner to close the game.

The Golden Rams battled in game three, but Keightley ended it with four kills including a kill off a quick set from McMurtrey to even things at 25 and another off a quick set from Dunn to clinch the match.

Bohlander had seven kills (two blocks, tip) in the third game. Tied at 25, Dunn also recorded the final two service points, the first on a hard to handle serve, putting the Lions ahead, 26-25.

Westminster (20-6) will again host Calvary Christian in a rematch of the district finals -- won by Westminster -- in the region semifinal on Nov. 10. Last season, the Eagles upset district champ Westminster in the region semifinal.

Westminster Academy: Emily McMurtrey 18 assists, two kills (tip, block); Mckenzie Keightley seven kills (block), two service points (ace); Brenna Pelletier nine service points (three aces), eight digs, kill; Amelia Bohlander 13 kills (three blocks, two tips), six service points (two aces); Leigh Andrew 14 kills (tip), nine digs, nine service points (ace); Katie Hepp three kills (block, tip), three service points (two aces); Megan Dunn 10 assists, six service points (three aces); Paige Kniskern one service point; Jenny Walsh 12 digs.

Fort Pierce John Carroll: Taylor Zirwas five kills, eight service points (two aces); Rachel Windle one kill; Hayley Wonka 10 kills (two blocks, two tips), two service points; Ashlyn Baliton two kills (tip), four service points; Kayley Lannon five kills (two blocks); Aubree Parker five kills (two tips), six service points; Jessica Cardoza one kill (tip); Heather Stock two service points (ace); Lindsay Bowers kill; Alex Smith one service point.

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