Box Score The regional semi-final match ups took place on Saturday at Orange CC.  The #3 seed FIT Tigers squared off against #2 seed Suffolk CC Sharks at 12 noon for a chance to go to the regional finals later that day.

In the first set, the Tigers stormed out of the gate, landing the first punch and  claiming the momentum. In the first set, everything was working for FIT who as a team recorded 6 aces (3 for Christina Wong), 12 kills evenly distributed among 6 different players, and some great defense in the back row.  "There was not one thing we would've changed with how we played the first set. Our team executed the game plan to perfection, and I was so proud of them," said head coach Keith Heron.

But Suffolk, determined not to down without a fight, did make some changes of their own. Throughout the first set, the defensive performance by Sophomores Hannah Edwards and Christina Wong were outstanding. They handled the hard hit spikes from Suffolk's hitters and made great passes the whole set. This allowed co-captains Arpi Dayian and Cassandra Burdick to set up hitters very effectively. Realizing that FIT's defense against the Suffolk middles was solid both at the net and in the back row, the Sharks decided to change the pace and go to a tipping and pushing attack which proved to be very effective.  The change of pace threw off the Tiger defense, and the momentum switched to Suffolk for the second and third sets, with the Sharks winning both by the scores of 25-15 and 25-21.

"After the first set, it became a real chess match with each team trying to anticipate the next move and adjust their attacks and their defense accordingly. We struggled to adjust to Suffolk's change in attack fast enough and it proved costly," said Heron.

As can be seen by the scores, FIT gradually started to overcome the struggles of the second set in the third set, then in the 4th set they were able to finalize the adjustments, and take back the momentum to build a 7 point lead late in the set, thanks to a hard-hitting performance turned in by freshman Erin Dee with 4 kills in the set. With the score 24-17 and Suffolk taking over the serve, the Sharks scored the next 4 points off some less than stellar play by FIT until freshman OH Erin Dee slammed home her 5th kill that took the match to a deciding 5th set.

In the 5th and deciding set, it was back and forth all the way, and it came down to the wire. FIT held the lead 8-7 at the switch after winning a crucial volley. Building an 11-9 lead, it seemed that FIT was poised to pull away. The Tigers had solved the defensive problems seen earlier and were playing very well offensively firing away with well placed shots. In the short set, sophomore Vanessa Bennish recorded 5 kills and added to FIT'S momentum. But Suffolk responded and with the score tied at 13, Suffolk scored the 14th point. Unable to push the game to extra points, the Tigers dropped the set 15-13 and the match 3 sets to 2. With that, the successful Tiger season came to an end.

Coming into the match, it seemed the battle would come down to the middles. Suffolk's middles dominated in the regular season match up shutting down FIT 3-0.  But this time, a great performance was turned in by FIT middles Jillian Staebler and Jodi Ling who handled the powerful Suffolk middles with tough defense, and who used the Suffolk block to score on offense.
 

Top Tigers of the day were:
Hannah Edwards was honored as FIT's only team member to make the Region 15 playoff All-Tournament team for her outstanding defensive efforts in today's match in which she recorded 29 digs.

Co-captains Cassandra Burdick  (23 assists, 20 digs, 4 kills,  3 aces) and Arpi Dayian  (25 assists, 16 digs,  6 kills, 3 aces) also turned in impressive performances.

"We accomplished the goals we had set  since the beginning of the season. We finished 3rd in regular season standings, won our home playoff game, and almost pulled off the semifinal upset at regionals today. Considering the late start we had to the season, I am very pleased with the results. We had such a great group of players this year, and the team should be very proud of themselves. The ladies worked so hard this year and their efforts paid off with a successful season. Also, it was probably the highest level of team chemistry I have ever been around as a coach.  It was an absolute pleasure and I will remember this team and this season for a long time." - Coach Keith