WINTER HAVEN — Port Charlotte head coach Julie White was at a loss for words to tell her team. It was understandable.
Her team had gone out Thursday in the Class 5A state semifinals and played perhaps their worst game of the year (and maybe longer). Everything that could go wrong, did, against a team making its first-ever appearance in states.
And besides from a few fleeting moments of play that got them to this position, there wasn’t much of anything to cheer about as Lourdes Academy from Miami trounced the Pirates in straight sets (25-13, 25-7, 25-11) at Polk State College.
Lourdes will face Chiles of Tallahassee, which defeated Innovation of Orlando in straight sets.
White said it was heartbreaking to see how the season ended, especially for the nine seniors who played their last game for her.
“I thought we would play better. Lourdes came out very strong and things got into our heads a little bit. It wasn’t our best game and they are such a good team,” White said. “I was stumbling over my words. I didn’t know what to say.”