Wednesday's volleyball results and highlights

Girls volleyball

Beach District semifinals

Princess Anne achieved its biggest win of the season in the Beach District semifinals Thursday despite having a starting lineup altered by illness.

The No. 2 seed Cavaliers (19-3) outlasted third-seeded Kellam, 25-22, 23-25, 28-26, 25-15, earning a berth in next week’s Eastern Region field.

Top seed Cox (19-2), also region-bound, fended off No.4 Ocean Lakes 25-22, 23-25, 25-13, 20-25, 15-13 in the opening semifinal at Tallwood.

The Falcons and Princess Anne tune up for the region tournament in Saturday’s 6:15 p.m. Beach final at Tallwood.

Princess Anne reserve Angela Darcus, filling in for ailing starter Holly Browning at middle blocker, had six kills and five blocks to complement the aggressive hitting of Gaby Smith (14 kills) and Brooke Barnes (13).

“Angie stepped in and played a key role for us,” Princess Anne coach Craig Dooren said. “Erin Hagelberger also got more playing time and came through.

“Courtney Hechinger’s serve turned us around in that crucial third set after we fell behind 11-2.”

In the opener, Chelsea Blanford’s 15th kill of the match provided the decisive point in the fifth set.

An unforced Ocean Lakes error had given Cox a 14-13 lead.

Cox d. Ocean Lakes, 25-22, 23-25, 25-13, 20-25, 15-13

Princess Anne d. Kellam, 25-22, 23-25, 28-26, 25-15

- Mike Keech

Boys volleyball

Eastern District semifinals

Maury d. Lake Taylor, 25-20, 25-14, 25-18

Eastern District Player of the Year Will Grimes led the Commodores (19-0) with 16 kills and eight aces. Senior setter Joey Callahan totaled 29 assists. Maury faces Norview at 6:30 tonight for the championship at Wilson.

Norview d. Booker T. Washington, 25-21, 23-25, 23-25, 25-22, 15-7

Travis Ansell had 22 kills for the Pilots, who secured a berth in next week’s Eastern Region tournament along with Maury.

Southeastern semifinals

Great Bridge d. Indian River, 25-20, 25-16, 25-16

Ryan Iaquinto, Alec Smith and Shane Popelka combined for 33 kills, while Timmy FitzPatrick totaled 29 assists for the Wildcats (21-0), who play Western Branch in the championship match at 7:30 tonight at Oscar Smith.

Western Branch d. Nansemond River, 25-23, 21-25, 23-25, 26-24, 15-13

The Bruins won a close battle and a trip to the Eastern Region tournament. Chris Matthews and Nijel Gamble combined for 35 blocks, while Jay James had 55 assists for Western Branch.