Volleyball: Region semifinal breakdown (Classes 7A-5A)

Class 7A

2021 FHSAA Volleyball State Championships 7A FHSAA Girls Volleyball

The area matchup

Plant (22-5) at Steinbrenner (25-3), 7

A must-see matchup between district rivals that are ranked as the top two teams in the class (the Panthers are No. 1 and the Warriors are No. 2) and among the top 11 overall in the state by MaxPreps. The teams split their two meetings this season with the Panthers winning the first in the regular season (25-17, 20-25, 25-15, 25-21) and the Warriors getting payback in the district final (21-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-7). This also is a rematch of last year’s region semifinals that Plant won in four sets en route to their third straight state semifinal appearance. Steinbrenner is trying to get back to the region final after a one-year absence.

Stat leaders

CategoryPlantSteinbrenner
KillsLily Frierson, 232Kennedy Coakley, 181
BlocksMackenzie Nichols, 41Liv Mogridge, 62
AcesMaggie Dostic, 47Liv Mogridge, 49
DigsSophia Kotsovolos, 438Madison Espy, 260
AssistsJennifer Rayburn, 581Izzy Mogridge, 311

Class 6A

2021 FHSAA Volleyball State Championships 6A FHSAA Girls Volleyball

The area matchup

Land O’ Lakes (25-4) at Mitchell (22-0), 7

Two of the top teams in Pasco County square off in a rematch of the district final that the Mustangs won in four sets (25-21, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20) to remain undefeated. Mitchell, ranked No. 8 in the class by MaxPreps, has already set the school record for wins and is in the region semifinals for the first time since 2018. The Gators have also set the school record for wins and are in the region semifinals for the second straight season. They are trying to reach the region final for the first time since 1987.

Stat leaders

CategoryLand O’ LakesMitchell
KillsIzzabella Horruitiner, 236Elizabeth McDonald, 244
BlocksJaidynce Linduski, 62Hailee Bridges, 77
AcesIzzabella Horruitiner, 54Elizabeth McDonald, 50
DigsCatie Grimes, 368Avery Lewis, 346
AssistsBrooke Browne, 327Bella Baldyga, 384

Class 5A

2021 FHSAA Volleyball State Championships 5A FHSAA Girls Volleyball

The area matchup

Robinson (10-16) at Wesley Chapel (18-4), 7

The Wildcats have the better record, but the Knights have the experience. Robinson, a defending state semifinalist, has turned things around. They are now healthy and have won four straight matches, all via sweeps. Wesley Chapel is in the region semifinals for the second straight season and just the third time in school history. They are trying to reach the region final for the first time.

CategoryRobinsonWesley Chapel
KillsMaddie Hill, 151Chloe Danielson, 325
BlocksKatejoin Robinson, 93Chloe Danielson, 67
AcesHaidyn Spano, 44Jenna Ly, 41
DigsHaidyn Spano, 361Brooke Ashkenase, 331
AssistsMaya Roush, 203Jenna Ly, 551

Punta Gorda Charlotte (19-8) at Osceola (18-9), 7

The Tarpons have rebounded from an uneven start, winning eight of their last nine matches to reach the region semifinals for the first time since 2018. They have been dominant in that stretch with seven of those wins coming via sweeps. The Warriors are in the region semifinals for the second time in the past three seasons. They have won five of their past six matches, including three straight.

Stat leaders

CategoryPunta Gorda CharlotteOsceola
KillsKristen Lowers, 196Olivia Dal Sasso, 189
BlocksBriana Bynoe, 79Lauren Lewis, 43
AcesKristen Lowers, 30Natalie Grantges, 49
DigsAlex Vega, 331Taylor Loope, 279
AssistsLilly Shaw, 326Nicole Fowler, 329