Region 8 Championship, Lake-Sumter/Pasco-Hernando III

New Port Richey, Fla. – On Saturday, the Lake-Sumter State College volleyball team took down St. John's River State College in a thrilling five set match. The victory set up round three of the top two teams in the conference with a trip to nationals on the line.

After defeating St. John's 3-0 twice during the Sun-Lakes Conference regular season, the two teams met in the second round of the Region 8 Tournament. The Vikings started the match on fire jumping out to an early lead and taking the first two sets. Lake-Sumter was able to grab the third set and keep their season alive. Down 23-22, and their backs against the wall, the Lakehawks battled back to win set four and force a winner take all fifth set.

Tied 12-12, LSSC was able to take control in the final minutes for a 15-13 victory, punching their ticket to the Region 8 championship against Pasco-Hernando.

This season, Lake-Sumter and Pasco-Hernando have provided us with two exhilarating conference matches. Both contests went the distance going five sets. Those matches were the only two losses for LSSC during the conference schedule.

Sunday at 1 pm will be the third and final installment in this season's version of Ali vs Frazier. The No. 2 seeded Lakehawks will face off against the No. 1 seeded Bobcats in New Port Richey on the Pasco-Hernando campus. The winner will advance to Nationals in West Virginia and an opportunity at a National Championship. Tickets are $8 at the door and $5 for students with I.D.

If you cannot make the game, Pasco-Hernando will be streaming the contest live over their YouTube channel. Click here.