No. 1 Clearwater Central Catholic (0-0) vs. Indian Rocks Christian (3-1)
When: Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Clearwater Central Catholic, Clearwater, FL
TV: BHSN Channel 47 and HD 1147
Live Streaming: log onto bhsnlive.com to watch the game online.
Coaches: Stephen Shepherd is in his 5th season as CCC's head coach (100-29); Mark Foster is in his 12th season as the IRC head coach (187-71)
How they match up: Clearwater Central Catholic is the best volleyball team in Pinellas County, and maybe even the entire Tampa Bay area. The Marauders return six seniors - Sara Brown, Maria Jose Amundaray, Shea Hamilton, Rahcel Odell, Ashley Albers and Katie Moore - from last season's 3A state semifinalists, the second-straight year the Marauders made the final four. The Marauders are predicted by many to return to Kissimmee, despite a tough schedule. They've owned the rivalry between IRC, sweeping the last three matches dating back to 2012. The Marauders are led by Hamilton (295 kills, 346 digs in 2013) and Moore (271 kills, 114 blocks), a Wake Forest commit.
Indian Rocks Christian is young, but has some firepower in freshman Ellie Burris and Elise Moralobo, which should provide a spark for Foster, a former head coach at CCC from 2001-02. Foster's group is finally injury free after dealing with the bug much of last season. Unlike CCC, the Golden Eagles have already started their season, off to a 3-1 start with early wins over Canterbury, Tarpon Springs and Admiral Farragut. Senior Marissa Brown, who had a team-high 256 kills in 2013, will be the Golden Eagles' go-to scorer this year.
Three stats to know:
1. CCC hasn't won a state title since 1985, but has made back-to-back trips to the state semifinals, losing both times in five sets.
2. IRC is looking to replace libero Monique Oliver, who graduated after recording over 1,000 digs between her junior and senior seasons.
3. The Marauders return over 80 percent of their team's total number of kills, aces and digs from 2013.