WESTON — The Boca Raton High girls volleyball team is headed to the state final four for the second time in three years after taking out previously unbeaten Cypress Bay in a roller coaster five-setter.
Before a hostile standing-room only crowd of about 1,000 fans, Boca star Mija Bendziute put the finishing touches on the thrilling regional finals win with her 35th kill of the night, setting off a wild celebration with players piling onto the floor.
The final count in the roller coaster slugfest was 24-20, 26-28, 21-25, 25-16, 15-13 as the Bobcats rallied from 2-1 down in sets.
“We’re like a family,” Bendzuite said. “We all love each other so much. The culture we built here is amazing.”
Coach Andrew Sloan’s squad had beaten Coral Reef in Miami in the regional semis. The fans Wednesday night chanted “overrated” on many of Bendzuite’s rare out balls.
“I love it,” said the UCLA commit. “It motivated me.”
Boca also got more stellar play from new Libero Lia Ray, who had 25 digs. Sophia Oliviaro had 4 blocks and 8 kills.