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Castelamare, Weber Compete

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By LEE DIEKEMPER Tribune correspondent

Published: December 10, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Twenty of the state's top high school volleyball players gathered at River Ridge High School Saturday to display their volleyball skills to prospective college coaches in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Volleyball All-Star Classic.

Two of the players included were local stars Brooke Castelamare of River Ridge and Lea Weber of Mitchell.

While the event did include Briana Bahr of Cantonment Tate, who has already committed to Georgia, most of the girls playing in the game have not chosen a college, or even if they will play volleyball in college.

Brett Benzio of Jensen Beach was one such player. She has committed to Tulane to play basketball.

"We put this game on specifically to get recognition and visibility for the athletes to colleges," FACA director Wink Barnette said.

The decision to hold the game at River Ridge was simple, Barnette said. River Ridge has "a fantastic facility. We try to move the game around every couple of years for visibility."

Castelamare and Weber are in that boat. Neither has committed, although Weber has an offer from Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Barnette noted that roughly 10-15 college coaches were in attendance in the crowd of roughly 60.

One was Scott White, who is the volleyball coach at St. Petersburg College. He noted how perfect the event was for him in terms of location.

"Being a coach at a junior college, I don't have much of a recruiting budget," White joked. But he also explained how an event like the All-Star Classic is conducive to non-Division I coaches.

"Schools like Florida or Florida State, they start targeting players as high school sophomores," White said. "This is especially interesting because it features players from all over the state. This game really helps me a lot.

"Often at a junior college, I'm not their first choice. Now is when you really start looking to identify those who haven't chosen a Division I school. Everyone has a unique situation so you just have to look a little harder."

White also noted how this was the first all-star game featuring players from around the state he has attended. He often attends all-star games involving individual counties.

"During the high school season it's difficult for me to scout because high school games are played the same nights as my team plays," White said.

Weber noted how she actually learned by playing in the all-star game.

"I learned from the other girls' intensity," Weber said. "I learned that you have to raise your intensity even more when you are playing in bigger events. I think I matched that."

Thought Weber has an offer from Palm Beach Atlantic, she may decide to play soccer, possibly at North Georgia. She likes both sports and she likely will choose the best school that offers an athletic scholarship, no matter if it is soccer or volleyball.

"I like both," Weber said. "Education is important to me."

Castelamare explained how honored she was to be selected.

"I know some of these girls from club volleyball," Castelamare said. "All of these girls are the star of their club. Playing in this game means a lot."

Currently, Castelamare plans to attend South Florida and maybe walk on to the volleyball team. Her sister Brittany is a sophomore for the Bulls. Brooke Catelamare doesn't have a volleyball scholarship offer yet and would be interested in attending any school that offers her a scholarship.

"I'm not sure if I'm going to play or not at USF," Castelamare said. "I don't want to stop playing volleyball. I hope this is not my last time playing."

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