GAINESVILLE — The Florida High School Athletic Association expanded its busy spring season by increasing the number of available playoff slots for six sports on Monday.
The FHSAA board of directors voted unanimously to double regional berths for girls and boys lacrosse, girls and boys water polo, girls flag football and boys volleyball. The vote was 11-0 with some board members absent in an in-person meeting at FHSAA headquarters.
Four district champions per region will now be joined by an additional four teams that earn at-large invitations based on computerized power rankings.
The move, which goes into effect this spring, means the playoff system for those newer sports mirrors the state series setup used for the FHSAA’s long-established team bracket sports: baseball, softball, girls volleyball and boys and girls soccer.