KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Cate Palmi and Jordin Southall combined for 39 kills as the Osceola Kowboys recorded a 25-19. 25-20, 25-13 straight set win over the Jupiter Warriors in the FHSAA Class 7A, Region 2 Championship on Wednesday night.
The win snapped nine-match winning streak with the Warriors (23-5), who came into the contest ranked sixth in Class 7A and second in the region.
“This match doesn’t define our team and what we accomplished this year,” Warriors coach Blane Betz said. “This was a fantastic team full of fantastic individuals that gave their all. We have absolutely nothing to hang our heads about.”
Osceola, ranked 2nd in 6A and 6th overall among all FHSAA teams, dominated the match from the beginning in winning their fifth straight and 17th of their last 18 matches. They jumped out to an early 21-14 lead in the first set before cruising to the six-point win.
Set two was Jupiter’s best chance to get back in the match.
Although the Lady Kowboys built a 20-14 lead, Jupiter took advantage of several lapses in the Osceola return game and then used a 4-0 run to cut the lead to 22-20 on a big block at the net by Grace Lovell.
But Palmi would record back-to-back kills before sending a nifty short soft cross court shot into the corner as Osceola scored the final three points to close out the set.
The third set looked to be a formality as Osceola scored eight straight points after losing the initial point. But the Warriors would rally behind the play of Kaija Fullerton and Ellle Sargent. A spike attempt from Southall came up short and suddenly the Warriors found themselves back in the set after the 8-1 run to make it 10-9.
The rally would be short-lived, however.
Osceola senior Sophie Spivey would come through with a big spike to switch the momentum back to the Osceola side. After the teams traded a couple of side outs, Osceola would score 13 of the next 15 points.
“We had trouble making adjustments all night,” Betz noted. “They run one of the fastest offenses we have seen all year. It made setting up both our offense and defense difficult.”
Although Osceola now advances to their third Final Four in the last four years, coach Carrie Palmi says this year has a different feel to it. “This team seems to be a mission,” she said following the win. “In previous post-seasons, we would maybe get a little complacent or let our foot off the gas and it would cost us. This team’s focus has been razor sharp in the post-season and that’s a good sign heading into last week.”
Osceola has not dropped a set in five district and regional playoff games.
Fullerton had a big game on offense for the Warriors. The junior recorded 11 kills and two blocks from her outside hitter position.
With young roster, Betz was upbeat about the future. “We have a small but great group of seniors that provided outstanding leadership and we’re going to miss them big time,” he said. “But we have a lot of talent coming back and the future is bright.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jupiter High volleyball falls in straight sets in region championship match
Reporting by Dan Pearson / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
