Editor's Note: The following is a release from the Valley View School District.

Brooks Middle School’s seventh grade girls volleyball squad came within an eyelash of pulling off another upset Wednesday but came up just short against Troy Middle School 22-25 and 23-25 in the IESA regional final.

The Bulldogs (10-5) had surprised Jane Addams 25-8, 16-25 and 25-14 and then eliminated top seed Martinez Middle School 26-24 and 25-20 in earlier rounds.

Utilizing some outstanding back row passing and a never-say-die attitude, the Brooks squad built up a 16-10 lead in the first game with Gabby Gallucci notching a kill and an ace. Citlali Lara scored on a block and Alexis Baber registered a kill on a nifty assist from Ashley Kobelt. Briana Hartzog served for five consecutive points.

But with the score 19-13, the Trojans went on a 10-0 run that included six aces to grab a 23-19 lead.

Game two was tied 13 times and had six lead changes. Three Kobelt aces made it 6-3 Brooks in the early going. The Bulldogs led 19-17 thanks to four straight service points, including two aces, by Hartzog. And they were up 21-18 after Nakia Smith scored on a bump to the back row.

But the Trojans tallied on three Bulldogs errors, two aces and a pair of kills to the middle of the court to win the match.

Other Brooks players include Shenicqua Kelly, Victoria Soto, Bryanna Figueroa, Julia Reynolds, Cheyenne Martinez and Kiara Sellers. They are coached by Peter Pietruszewski.