TAMPA - Last time Gaither faced Alonso, the Cowboys were taken to five games before winning. It was the only district match all season in which Gaither didn't win in three games.
But with their last meeting still fresh in the Cowboys' mind, Gaither handily defeated host Alonso 25-13, 25-20 and 25-23 Tuesday advancing to Thursday's Class 5A, District 7 final against Wharton.
So was the previous meeting fresh in the minds of the Cowboys?
"Absolutely," Gaither coach Cindy Smith said. "I could tell before the game that the girls were nervous. It was our only district game that went past three games."
But if Gaither was nervous, it didn't show as the top seed played what Smith called "a very complete game." Perhaps the most telling statistic was Gaither's 47 team assists.
"(The assists) showed that we played a very solid, all-around game. We had good digging, setting and finishing tonight," Smith said.
Senior outside hitter Katie Anderson led Gaither with a match-high 26 kills. Sheri VanBebber had 11 digs and Katie Whitescarver added four aces.
Smith said having gone five games with the Ravens in the final regular-season district match might turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
"We needed that kind of match," Smith said. "It showed these girls what can happen if they aren't playing at their best. And I think they didn't want to come out here tonight and have that happen again."
In the other semifinal, Wharton defeated Sickles 26-24, 18-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-11.
- BRANDON WRIGHT
2A-11: Terrapins move on
LARGO - Tampa Prep advanced to Friday's championship by beating Bradenton St. Stephen's 25-5, 25-11, 25-21 Tuesday.
Jordan Canas led Tampa Prep with six kills and four aces. Rachael Phillips held a strong line defense with two blocks.
In the other semifinal, Northside Christian wasted little time in eliminating Shorecrest, 25-9, 25-13, 25-19.
The Mustangs exposed Shorecrest's inability to return serves with eight aces in the first game. Ashley Ogorek, Emily Austin, Katie Cavagnaro, Lane Feaster, Rachel Potthast and Lauren Squires combined for 21 aces for Northside Christian. Squires led the team with six.
Potthast had a match-high 10 kills.
Since moving to 2A, the Mustangs have stacked their schedule with tougher opponents in preparation for district.
The move appears to have paid off, as the Mustangs now prepare to face the Terrapins for the championship.
"They're (Shorecrest) not the strongest serve-returning team we've played against," Filer said. "I'm hoping that the tougher schedule, the better teams we've played, is helping us with confidence."
The championship is 6 p.m. Friday at Indian Rocks Christian.
