Lake Worth Christian girls volleyball rolls in semis; will face Warner Christian for title

Wednesday, November 17, 2010
by Christy Cabrera Chirinos

All season, Lake Worth Christian has relied on all-around effort to succeed.

Wednesday at the state volleyball tournament, the Defenders used that formula again.

Lake Worth Christian didn't get a dominant performance from any single player, but instead benefited from contributions across the court to earn a quick 25-17, 25-19, 25-16 victory over Gainesville-Oak Hall in a Class 1A state semifinal at The Lakeland Center.

Thursday, the Defenders will take on a familiar foe for the state title: Warner Christian. Warner Christian eliminated Lake Worth Christian in each of the past two state tournaments. The Eagles advanced with a sweep of St. Petersburg-Canterbury.

"We each have our place on the team and we do what we have to do," said Defenders outside hitter Kristy Golden, who had 10 digs and six kills against Oak Hall. "That's why we're so confident. We each have a job and we do it together, as a team, for each other."

In both the second and third games, Lake Worth Christian (28-3) used some crucial long runs to build up significant leads over the Eagles (22-9).

Those rotations, which often featured Gabby Fisher serving, allowed Lake Worth Christian to take advantage of mismatches, and middle blocker Meagen Milligan capitalized.

Milligan, who finished with 14 kills, put the ball down in Game 2 to give the Defenders a 15-11 lead. In the third, she was crucial in helping the Defenders score nine unanswered points.

"It was key," Lake Worth Christian coach Terri Kaiser said. "Gabby had a string of points and when she's serving, Kristy and Meagen are in the front row. That's what leads us to string a bunch."

Defenders middle blocker Brytney Annis added 11 kills and 10 digs, while Amanda King had 32 assists and Kristen Reid had 13 digs.