Here is the breakdown of the area teams playing in tonight’s region quarterfinals. The winners advance to Saturday’s region semifinals.
Tonight’s Area Region Quarterfinal Matches
Region 3
No. 8 Palm Harbor University (19-4) at No. 1 Plant (20-3), 7
The host Panthers, winners of seven straight matches, are the top-ranked team in the state, regardless of classification, according to the Florida High School Athletic Association’s final power rankings. After winning 14 straight matches, the Hurricanes dropped their last two and are trying to get back on track.
Stat leaders
| Category | PHU | Plant |
| Kills | Aaliyah Cancellari, 137 | Maggie Dostic, 291 |
| Blocks | Aaliyah Cancellari, 47 | Kaylee Peper, 63 |
| Aces | Skylar Shepherd, 78 | Lara Matta, 29 |
| Digs | Sofia Castaneda, 328 | Bella Lee, 343 |
| Assists | Skylar Shepherd, 388 | Sophie Dostic, 456 |
No. 5 East Lake (22-5) at No. 4 Winter Haven (18-8), 7
The Eagles, the Pinellas County Athletic Conference champions, won 16 straight matches before two of their last three. To rebound, East Lake has to go on the road to take on the Blue Devils, who are on an eight-match win streak.
Stat leaders
| Category | East Lake | Winter Haven |
| Kills | Kristina Rhoden, 401 | Rylee Tanner, 267 |
| Blocks | Natalie Aniol, 37 | Emily Drier, 61 |
| Aces | Natalie Aniol, 53 | Coryn Gilliam, 38 |
| Digs | Sydney Freyer, 303 | Arianna Santos, 206 |
| Assists | Kellyanne Wylie, 547 | Coryn Gilliam, 361 |
No. 7 Newsome (17-8) at No. 2 Venice (20-6), 7
After losing the first two sets, the Wolves came storming back to beat Riverview for the title in last week’s 7A-11 district tournament. That extended Newsome’s win streak to five matches. Now comes the hard part, a road trip to face the defending state champion Indians.
Stat leaders
| Category | Newsome | Venice |
| Kills | Macy Gebhards, 222 | N/A |
| Blocks | Claire Titus, 40 | N/A |
| Aces | Macy Gebhards, 51 | N/A |
| Digs | Madison Stahle, 218 | N/A |
| Assists | Ella Mishler, 461 | N/A |
No. 6 Riverview (12-3) at No. 3 Steinbrenner (14-9), 7
This is a rematch from a meeting the Warriors swept in August. Steinbrenner has gone 10-4 down the stretch, including a five-set victory over East Lake in last week’s 7A-9 district semifinals. Two of the Sharks’ three losses this season went to five sets.
Stat leaders
| Category | Riverview | Steinbrenner |
| Kills | Pamela De Jesus, 143 | N/A |
| Blocks | Emily Daugherty, 41 | N/A |
| Aces | Ava Mohler, 46 | N/A |
| Digs | Avery Mohler, 236 | N/A |
| Assists | Ava Mohler, 226 | N/A |
