Top-seeded Branford overcame a scare in the first set to take down No. 4 seed Aucilla Christian in four sets in the Region 3-R semifinals at home Saturday afternoon.
The Buccaneers (25-3) bounced back after dropping the first set 25-16 to win the next three 25-14, 25-17, 25-19 to knock out the Warriors (15-6). They’ll try to win a second straight regional championship on Tuesday when Union County visits in a rematch of last week’s district championship as well as last year’s Elite 8.
Union County, the region’s 3-seed, knocked off No. 2 seed Lafayette 3-1 (25-19, 25-20, 26-28, 26-24) for the second time in the last 12 days. The Tigers (17-9) also beat the Hornets (16-5) in the district semifinals on Oct. 15.
Lafayette’s once promising season came crashing down at the end. After winning their first 14 matches of the year, the Hornets dropped four of their last six including their final four.