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Catanach Happy To See Her Plant Career Continue

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By NICK WILLIAMS The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 11, 2007

TAMPA - Plant senior volleyball player Kellie Catanach sat on the Plant gymnasium floor, her legs sprawled out, watching her teammates celebrate the 25-21, 24-26, 21-25, 25-8, 15-8 win over Venice on Saturday that catapulted her team into the Class 5A state volleyball final four.

The setter, playing in her final home match, didn't know what to celebrate first: The fact that her high school career wasn't over, that her team had beaten state-rival and No. 2-ranked Venice, or that she and the Panthers were heading back to Lakeland for the second consecutive year.

Plant (28-1) will face Lake Howell (28-2) on Wednesday in the state semifinals at The Lakeland Center.

"It's such a relief," Catanach said. "Venice, we look forward to them all year. You can't sleep thinking about it, you get nervous. ... I woke up at 6:30 this morning like, 'Oh my gosh, it's today.' It's just such an amazing feeling."

After winning the first game, Plant, ranked No. 1 in the latest poll, lost the following two games and were one loss away from being eliminated.

Catanach's teammates, however, weren't going to let Plant's lone senior end her season without another chance at a state title.

"In the fourth game, sophomore Maddie Martin said, 'Come on guys, let's do it for Kelly,'" said Catanach, who finished with 43 assists and 15 digs. "I don't know if that's what it was, but to me, that meant a lot."

Fighting for Catanach, Plant easily forced a Game 5. With momentum and a raucous crowd behind them, Plant jumped to an 8-0 lead in the final game, a point where Plant coach Leanna Taylor jumped from her seat and leaned over to place a kiss on the forehead of assistant coach Krissy Quigg. Catanach found Martin for three consecutive kills and set up Danielle Erb for the final blow, giving Plant the win.

"I had told Kellie, 'Set me the ball and I'll take care of it for you,'" said Martin, who led Plant with 18 kills. Erb had 15.

"Emotionally, there is no tougher game than the Venice-Plant match," said Taylor, who is 2-2 in the playoffs and 5-3 overall against Venice. "It feels great. Every time feels great when we're going to the state tournament. This is what we're here for."

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.

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