MATCH RECAP: PHU defeats Steinbrenner in 5 sets (8-25, 26-24, 25-20, 14-25, 15-10)

By: Ross Van De Griek

Palm Harbor University advances to the District 7A-7 volleyball final vs Plant

LUTZ- On Wednesday night, the Palm Harbor University Hurricanes volleyball team advanced to the District 7A-7 final, where they'll take on the 2-seed Plant Panthers on Thursday night at Plant High School.

It was a struggle out of the gates for the visiting Hurricanes, as Steinbrenner jumped out on a 17-5 run, that featured mulitple kills from sophomore Nina Moorer. Palm Harbor University just had not answers in the opening set, as Steinbrenner would never trail & took the first set, 25-8.

The second set was a little more back & forth as both teams would trade points, for most of the set. Palm Harbor University's Katy Cameron had four kills in the second set, that would provide a rally for the 'Canes. At one point in the second set, Steinbrenner held a 22-19 & were looking to go up 2-0 in the match. Palm Harbor University would go on to score seven of the next nine points & even the match, with a 26-24 second set win.

Palm Harbor University controlled most of the third set, and were contributed by senior Lulu Sondegrath & senior Claire Patterson. Steinbrenner would provide a little rally, as they cut it to 17-14 Palm Harbor in the third set. However, Palm Harbor University would not look back & would take the third set, 25-20.

Steinbrenner would respond in the fourth set, as they started the set on an 11-5 run, that featured kills from junior Lilou Stegeman & sophomore Zoe Chin. Later in the fourth set, both teams would continue to trade points, as Steinbrenner would lead 17-11 as Palm Harbor University's Katy Cameron kept the Hurricanes in the set. Steinbrenner would finish the set on a 8-3 run & take the fourth set, 25-14.

The fifth set would be a little back & forth, as Palm Harbor University started the set on an 11-7 run. Steinbrenner would score the next three points that made it 11-10 Palm Harbor. Palm Harbor University would end the match on a 4-0 run & take the set, 15-10 & the match, 3-2.

With the win, Palm Harbor University (13-12) will play for the District 7A-7 final, tomorrow night at Plant (20-7) who are coming off a 4-set win vs Wharton tonight.

With the loss, Steinbrenner (21-5) will find out this weekend if their season will continue.