NORTH NAPLES, Fla. — For the third straight year, Barron Collier volleyball is back in the FHSAA state semi-finals. The Cougars have reached the final four in seven of the last eight seasons.

Last year, they fell to Jensen Beach in the championship game, and this year the two square off again, this time in the semifinals.

“For me personally, I’d like to have the job done,” laughed head coach Yamil Del Valle. “For the program to keep consistent like that and being in that type of scenario is important. We’re super excited about it, and for them to be working hard all season and be in the same scenario as last year, we’re super excited, and we’re making sure that they’re ready for it.”

“We studied them, and we’re practicing shot they do often and working against that and building a defense,” said senior Aisha Keric. “Creating a place to know what their strengths and weaknesses are and targeting those weaknesses for sure.”

The Cougars have gotten closer and closer to the program’s first state title, so they’re ready for this to finally be their year.

“We’re mostly seniors, it would be a great way to end the season, and it would be awesome to be the first to win it for the school,” said senior Ava Zehnder.

The Cougars face Jensen Beach on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m. EST. The winner will go on to the state finals on Thursday.