'Gritty' Fort Pierce Central volleyball is 1 win from Class 9A state tournament

One win is all that stands between Fort Pierce Central High School's volleyball team and its first trip to the Final Four in 34 years. 

The Cobras defeated Vero Beach for the fourth time this season Tuesday, the 25-16, 25-18, 25-18 win at Central sending them to next week's Region 2-9A final. 

"I keep saying the same thing over and over. It means everything," Fort Pierce Central coach Christy Quigley said. "This team is gritty and they know what they want. They play so well together every night. They're just determined."

Kylee Quigley, the coach's daughter, led the way with 19 kills, 20 digs, 11 service points and four aces for Fort Pierce Central (25-4), which reached 25 wins for only the third time since the program began in 1974.

More:Healthy South Fork knocks off Jensen Beach in straight sets

Autumn Raulerson had 40 assists and five digs; Delaney Slattery had 12 service points, three aces, two assists and two digs; and Riley Wyatt had 15 digs, seven kills and seven service points.

Bella Russman had 18 digs and five service points while Cassidy Lee had five kills, one block and four digs. Brianna Jackson had five kills and one block, and Brenna Tietz had seven kills.

All four Fort Pierce Central wins against Vero Beach (10-6) have been in straight sets.

"I think we were confident, but I think we knew that they were going to come in and give it their best," Quigley said. "They did play very well, better than any time we've played them before. We knew it wasn't going to be easy."

Fort Pierce Central will host Sarasota-Riverview at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 for the regional title. Riverview defeated Orlando-Dr. Phillips  25-14, 18-25, 25-18, 25-15 in Tuesday's other 2-9A semifinal.

The Cobras previously advanced to state in 1982 and 1984.

Finally, they are position to go back.

"They known what they wanted to do from the beginning and they've kept at it," Quigley said. "They just keep getting better as the year goes along."

Region 3-2A final

Geneva (Winter Park) d. Morningside Academy, 25-8, 25-14, 25-20: The Knights ended the Eagles' season for the third consecutive year with a straight-set win in the regional final at Morningside.

Erin Mann had seven kills, three blocks and 14 digs for Morningside (26-8), which lost in the regional final for the second year in a row.

Angelica Castaneda added 11 assists. Brianna Matthews had three kills, three blocks and eight digs.

Morningside set a school record for wins in Yesmina Moreno's first year as coach.

Geneva (16-6) advances to a state semifinal Nov. 10.

The Knights defeated the Eagles in four sets last season on their way to the Class 2A state final. They also beat Morningside in straight sets in a 2016 regional semifinal.