Volleyball playoffs roundup: Osceola sweeps stunning 15-0 fifth set
Three Orlando area favorites had to scramble to win girls volleyball region quarterfinals on Wednesday night. But when the dust settled the 1-2-3 seeds in every district involving local schools were still swinging.
Kissimmee Osceola and Olympia had to pull out extraordinary victories in five-set thrillers at home to set up their Saturday semifinal in FHSAA Class 7A Region 2. And it was Osceola’s match against county rival Tohopekaliga that was the most bizarre match — maybe of the year.
Osceola, the region second seed behind Jupiter, cruised to victory in the first two games, 25-19, 25-12, before the Tigers turned the table upside down by winning Game 3 25-20 and Game 4 25-18.
That forced a 15-point fifth set and the Kowboys rebounded to win every point 15-0.
Osceola sophomore Jordin Southall served all 15 points and sophomore hitter Cate Palmi had 8 kills.
“I have never coached a team that has done that,” Palmi said of the fifth-set sweep. “We never rotated. It was unreal. Lights out clean play and phenomenal defense and effort by the entire team.”
Olympia, the third seed, had its own drama. The Titans came from two games down to win 22-25, 21-25, 25-10, 25-14, 15-11 vs. Windermere. Emma Schutt sprawled for 40 defensive digs to help the Titans dig out of the hole.
“She had an awesome night,” Olympia coach Semei Tello said of Schutt’s performance.
In 7A Region 1, fourth seed Lake Brantley had to rally from down 2-1 to win 25-20, 17-25, 18-25, 25-22, 15-13 at home against No. 5 DeLand.
That victory gives the Patriots a shot at the area’s top-ranked team, Winter Park, on Saturday. The Wildcats will host that match after rolling to a 3-0 victory against No. 8 seed Creekside.
Oviedo and Horizon won 3-0 to set up their Saturday morning match in the Lions den.
Other highly ranked teams who swept their first-round opponents included Hagerty and Timber Creek, who square off Saturday afternoon; along with Bishop Moore, Lake Highland Prep and Orangewood Christian.
Lake Minneola came from behind to win a five-setter against Winter Springs in 6A-2.
Below are the region semifinal pairings. Admission is $9.
This weekend’s winners advance to region finals on Tuesday (1A-4A) and Wednesday (5A-7).
Volleyball playoffs: Top 3 Winter Park, Hagerty, Timber Creek chase 1 title
Friday semifinals
Class 4A Region 2
No. 4 Astronaut (15-7) at No. 1 Bishop Moore (20-8), 5 p.m.
No. 3 McKeel Academy (23-4) at No. 2 Alachua Santa Fe (20-8), 6:30
Class 3A Region 2
No. 5 St. Andrew’s (15-13) at No. 1 Lake Highland Prep (21-7), 6
No. 3 Benjamin (15-6) at No. 2 King’s Academy (18-9)
Class 2A Region 2
No. 5 Merritt Island Christian (14-8) at No. 1 Ocala St. John (18-5)
No. 3 St. Edward’s (15-6) at No. 2 Orangewood Christian (20-8), 6
Saturday semifinals
Class 7A Region 1
No. 4 Lake Brantley (19-8) at No. 1 Winter Park (26-2), 2
No. 3 Timber Creek (20-8) at No. 2 Hagerty (21-6), 2:30
Class 7A Region 2
No. 5 Fort Pierce Central (19-9) at No. 1 Jupiter (23-3), 2
No. 3 Olympia (22-6) at No. 2 Osceola (22-6), 5
Class 6A Region 2
No. 4 Lake Minneola (15-4) at No. 1 Viera (24-4), 7
No. 3 Horizon (17-4) at No. 2 Oviedo (20-8), 10 a.m.
Class 5A Region 2
No. 5 Gateway (18-8) at No. 1 Merritt Island (21-6), 6
No. 3 Pine Ridge (21-5) at No. 2 Wesley Chapel (20-5), 5
Varsity Weekly: FHSAA brings back girls volleyball final four; board meets
Varsity Content Editor Buddy Collings can be reached by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.
