The Pine Crest girls’ volleyball team advanced to the state semifinals with a straight-set victory on Tuesday. With amazing play along with hard work and determination throughout the season, the team was able to advance to their regional final. In the regional final, they defeated reigning state champion Westminster Christian, qualifying them to play in the state semifinal game.

The victory over Westminster Christian is one of many highlights of a superb season, as the team had only lost one game all season while winning eighteen. On Saturday the Panthers faced off against Berkeley Prep in the state semifinal. Though they fell short of their state final goal, the volleyball team will wear their regional championship with pride.  

The players were certainly ready to continue on with their fantastic season. Junior Arielle Ghiloni shared her thoughts on the girls’ volleyball season so far as well as the team’s challenges.

Ghiloni believes that the team’s play has been tremendous, as she said, “I think that this season has been very successful for us, and I think we are really proving ourselves as a team that schools should not want to play,” she said.

Last week Ghiloni also discussed their upcoming semifinal game against Berkeley Prep.

“This game is probably going to be one of our toughest matches yet if not the toughest,” she said. “We played them last year at a tournament and beat them in a very tight game. I am really looking forward to playing a competitive team that I know will challenge us.”

Saturday’s loss in Tampa was an unfortunate way to end an amazing season from the Pine Crest girls’ volleyball team. Berkeley Prep was victorious in the semifinal, and they will play in the State Championship game on November 16 at 7 p.m.