Branford's Lachelle Sikes makes a pass against Bell in the district championship game earlier this season.

BRANFORD — Branford will play in a state volleyball semifinal for the first time when Newberry visits today at 2 p.m.

Newberry is 17-12, while the Buccaners, coming off a thrilling regional final win against Bell, are 22-5.

The Panthers advanced to the semifinal by beating Williston 3-0. They were led by junior Grace Oelrich’s 15 kills, and four blocks. Sophomore Abby Pace had the most digs with 13, and Sarah Miller had 43 assists.

Those top statistics from the Williston game are reflective on leading numbers for the entire season for Newberry. Middle blocker Oelrich has tallied 237 kills and 94 blocks, libero Pace has 497 digs, but senior setter Rylee Coleman has 508 assists, while multiple-positon player Miller has 421. Coleman played in all three sets against Williston but only had one assist.

Newberry does not have a high number of aces for the season, but will match up at the net with Olerich against Lachelle Sikes. Branford’s Sikes is listed at 6-foot-1, while Olerich counters at 6-foot, but the Panthers also have Pat Dinges listed at 6-1. Dinges is second on the team with 66 total blocks and 210 kills.

Branford’s coach Mendy Sikes said the team didn’t get to practice much last week because the players are involved in homecoming activities, though the team has had this week to prepare.

“Right now we’re just working on fundamentals with location, how to hit against blocks, and serving in different spots. “I’ll thing we’ll matchup better against them (Newberry) than Bell,” Sikes said.