Sunlake enjoyed a historic season with the volleyball team advancing to its first state tournament.
The journey ended Wednesday with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-16) loss to Merritt Island in the Class 5A state semifinals.
The Mustangs advance to the title game to take on Bishop Kenny, winners over Robinson in the other semifinal match. The championship game action will be carried on BHSN Friday at 5 p.m..
Merritt Island established a physical tone early on and overwhelmed Sunlake. Alyssa Zwolensky (17 kills) and Skylar Lierse (12 kills) dominated the net for the Mustangs.
After easily winning the first set, Merritt Island opened the second set with five-straight points on the service of Lierse. Another 5-0 run later in the set gave the Mustangs a 13-5 lead. The Seahawks enjoyed a mini run later in the set with three-straight points, but Merritt Island closed it out for the win.
In the third, strong net presence and service by Sunlake’s Kelsey Riquelme (8 kills) helped give Sunlake a 5-2 lead.
The lead wouldn’t stick though. Merritt Island responded with six-straight points and a 7-0 run by the Mustangs later in the set allowed them to pull away and wrap up the match.