TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

4 Plant Volleyball Players Make 5A All-State

ADVERTISEMENT

A Tribune staff, wire report

Published: December 16, 2007

Four players from the Class 5A championship and nationally ranked Plant volleyball team were selected to the Florida Sports Writers Association Class 5A Volleyball All-State Team, while two players from Durant's state runner-up team, along with Sickles outside hitter Sara Vance, were selected to the 6A All-State Team on Saturday.

Plant senior setter Kellie Catanach and sophomore outside hitter Maddie Martin were selected to the 5A first team.

Catanach, the 2007 Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Volleyball award winner and Florida Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year recipient, ended her final season with 714 assists, 215 digs and 130 kills. She has signed with Duke.

Martin, a 6-foot hitter, led Plant in kills with 308 along with 196 digs and 86 aces.

Plant junior outside hitter Danielle Erb was selected to the second team. Erb, another 6-foot hitter, ended the season with 300 kills, 70 aces and 193 digs. All three players were named to The Tampa Tribune's 2007 All-Hillsborough County Volleyball First Team.

Plant sophomore libero Ali McCurdy, who finished with 462 digs, was named a 5A honorable mention. McCurdy was also a Tribune honorable mention.

Durant senior setter Alexa Donini, who led the Cougars offense with 638 assists, 152 digs and 69 aces, was selected to the 6A second team. Junior outside hitter Chelsea Morris was named an honorable mention. Donini was named to the Tribune's All-County first team while Morris was named honorable mention.

Sickles' Vance was selected to the 6A third team. A Tribune second-team selection, Vance led the Gryphons to a district championship and a state ranking. She ended the season with 291 kills, 119 digs and 71 blocks.

Nick Williams

Miami Washington, Northwestern Take Titles

ORLANDO - Eduardo Clements scored three touchdowns and Torrance Moise passed for 275 yards to give Miami Washington a 23-15 victory against Ponte Vedra Beach Nease Saturday in the Class 4A final at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

The win marks Miami Washington's first state title.

Washington (14-0) lost in the state semifinals each of the previous four seasons.

"It's a great feeling for the kids, the coaching staff and the community," Washington coach Tim Harris said. "This is what it's all about."

Clements, a sophomore running back, had 20 carries for 100 yards and two rushing touchdowns. His other score, which came on a 13-yard pass from Moise, gave the Tornadoes a 23-7 lead with 4:48 left in the first half.

For awhile, it looked like Washington might win easily, but Patrick Barker scored on a 7-yard run with 4:04 left in the third quarter and Nease (13-2) converted a 2-point pass to make it 23-15.

The Tornadoes sacked quarterback Ted Stachitas (19 of 30, 172 yards) eight times.

NORTHWESTERN 41, BOONE 0: Jacory Harris was 17 of 32 for 281 yards to help Miami Northwestern to a shutout win against Orlando Boone (14-1) in the Class 6A state final for the Bulls' 30th straight victory.

Northwestern (15-0) also won the title last year. The championship is the Bulls fourth overall.

"The kids worked hard for it, on and off the field," Northwestern coach Billy Rolle said. "Our goal was to go undefeated. The outcome was never in doubt."

Northwestern scored on its opening drive when Harris, one of six Bulls seniors who have committed to the University of Miami, tossed a 31-yard TD to Tommy Streeter.

The Associated Press

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT