The Venice High volleyball team defeated Naples Gulf Coast for the third time this season, and then caught a nice break.   Instead of facing Tarpon Springs East Lake in Saturday’s Class 5A-Region 3 final, the indians will take on Clearwater, the District 11 runner-up.  Clearwater struggled to get past St. Petersburg Northeast 25-17, 25-10, 24-26, 25-10 in the regional quarterfinals. The Tornadoes went to East Lake and handed the District 11 champions and a threat to the Indians a 25-23, 25-23, 25-23 defeat.

As if the Indians need any more incentive, it was Clearwater that knocked out the boys basketball team in the regional final this past season.   Venice had its toughest of the three matches with the Sharks, but still managed to put away Gulf Coast 25-15, 25-20, 25-15 in 62 minutes.

Junior outside hitter Autumn Duyn powered her way to a match-high 15 kills and added 15 digs in another solid all-around effort.   Emily Daniels and Jillian Allen added nine kills. Allen was nearly perfect in her hitting, converting nine of 10 attacks. Daniels also chipped in with 13 digs and a team-high three aces.

The Indians got strong blocking in Game 2, when Morgan Shattuck notched two blocks and Payton Herschberger and Allen added one to help Venice break away from the pesky Sharks.   Libero Dorothy Rahal served a couple of aces, including one that clinched the match.   Setter Taylor Capasso played her usual steady floor game and even came through with a kill and a block.

The area went 2-for-3, as Braden River prevailed, but Bradenton Christian lost.

The Pirates needed four games to knock off St. Petersburg Lakewood to move into the regional final for the first time.   Braden River will face a stiff test in Fort Myers, which knocked off Naples.

For the fourth time in five matches, Bradenton Christian fell to Tampa Bayshore Christian in 3 games.

For more details on all the matches, see Wednesday’s edition of the Herald-Tribune.