2009 Top 10

This week has the potential to be historic for Tallahassee volleyball. Not one, not two, but three Tallahassee high-school volleyball teams clinched regional championships over the weekend and will compete in the state final four in Lakeland in their respective classifications.

John Paul II, Leon and Maclay will try to bring state championships home to Tallahassee.

"I think it's awesome," Leon coach Joy Becker said. "It shows our club system is working."

Becker and the Lions will be watching Wednesday morning as John Paul II plays Merritt Island Christian in the Class 1A state semifinals — the first time any sport has made it that far in the school's history.

"I'm friends with all these coaches," JPII coach Larry Sparkman said. "We're a tight volleyball community here. It's an honor to have three teams down there together. I think it says a lot about the volleyball community in general."

If Sparkman's Panthers win Wednesday, they will watch Leon play Venice in the Class 5A semifinals Wednesday night. Both Leon and JPII would potentially play for state championships on Thursday.

Then on Friday at noon, Jessica Cortese's Maclay squad will face Tampa Prep in the Class 2A semifinals. If they win, the Marauders will play for the championship on Saturday.

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