Boca Raton Christian sweeps Christ's Church to reach Class A title

For the second year in a row, Boca Raton Christian volleyball is onto the state finals.

The Blazers swept Christ's Church Academy in the Class 1A state semifinals, 25-20, 25-15-15, 25-22, advancing to the state championship to face longtime rival Seacrest Country Day on Wednesday, November 3.

Caitlin Crino notched the final kill in a match that last just an hour and nine minutes, with the Blazers gathering in a celebratory circle to advance their name on the Class 1A state championship bracket.

"Totally well-rounded, that is what our team has become and it's awesome to watch," head coach Len Visser said. "We're using the middles, we're using the outsides and the right sides and that's what's making us a hard team to play against. We have so much talent on this team, it's unbelievable."

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The Blazers (24-6) flirted with some extended match-points during the second and third sets, allowing the Eagles (22-8) to draw closer on the scoreboard ― but the different in execution was made apparent early and often.

Visser praised Brianna Nahmod for being "in a zone" defensively, with dig after dig commandeering Boca Christian's defense in the win.

At the start of the year, hitter Natalia Marciante's return from injury seemed to foreshadow a return to Class 1A stardom, but though the hitter went down with a repeat knee injury, she has stepped up in a different role on the bench.

"She's an amazing person," Visser said. We're missing her big-time, but her wisdom in the timeouts is just unbelievable. The girls have taken it up the the next level where we as coaches maybe say one or two things and then they know exactly what they need to work on. It's a well-oiled machine."

Freshman middle Valentina Gonzalez went over 40 blocks on the season during the state semifinal victory, and she and sophomore Olivia LaGasse have developed into what Visser calls "the twin towers" of his middle presence.

In his 23rd season as head coach last year, Visser and Boca Christian both won their first-ever state title. Now in is 24th, the veteran head coach is looking to double that title count with a triumphant Class 1A repeat.

That opportunity will present itself at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 3. Boca Raton Christian and Seacrest Country Day (23-7) met last year in the Class 1A state semifinal, which saw Boca Christian win in four sets.

In total, the two teams have met in four of the five state finals that Visser had led his program to, in addition to last year's four-set semifinal battle.

Now, the two programs will play against one another once more for all the marbles.

"They're strong," Visser said. I think it's going to be a battle. I'm excited to go up against them."

Alex Peterman is a high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at apeterman@usatodayco.com

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boca Raton Christian sweeps Christ's Church to reach Class A title