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Bayshore Christian Has Answer In Semifinals

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By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 15, 2007

LAKELAND - Some coaches seem to have a knack for inspiring their players, but Bayshore Christian volleyball coach Melanie Humenansky has made an annual tradition of it.

Late Tuesday night and into the wee hours of Wednesday morning, the 13-year coach continued her seven-year tradition of leaving motivational presents in her players' back yards the night before big matches. This year, it was a 20-foot poster that read, "Can you say State?..."

The tradition was enough to motivate her players Wednesday as the Faith Warriors defeated Merritt Island Christian 25-11, 27-25, 25-11 in the Class 1A state volleyball semifinals.

The trip will mark the program's fourth state final in five years.

Bayshore Christian (29-4), ranked No. 2 in the state poll, advances to today's 1A championship against top-ranked Daytona Warner Christian at 2 p.m. Warner Christian defeated Redland Christian 25-13, 15-25, 25-12, 25-14.

"My girls worked really hard," Humenansky said. "They had a mission they needed to accomplish. They wanted to be at that two o'clock match today."

Junior outside hitter Sami Stokes led the Faith Warriors with nine kills and 10 aces while senior Jannica Mollett finished with a match-high 14 kills. Freshman Gabrielle Fernandez added five blocks while junior libero Sara Lucia had a team-high 15 digs.

In the first game, Bayshore led 18-11 when Stokes made seven consecutive aces to serve Merritt Island off the court. She also had six kills in the match.

"It was my first time here and I planned on making a statement," Stokes said.

"Sami is a critical factor on our team," Humenansky said. "She's been on a little bit of a roller coaster but she knew what it meant to be out there on the floor Wednesday and she had a big part and she played awesome. I'm very proud of her."

In the second game, however, after leading 21-13, Bayshore allowed the No. 3-ranked Cougars (27-3) to creep back into the game. The score was tied at 25 before Mollett scored on a kill and Stokes got her eighth ace of the match to win the game.

Bayshore jumped out to a 16-8 lead in the third game and cruised to the win. Merritt Island sophomore Stephanie Quinn was coming off a 22-kill match in the region final but was held to only eight kills Wednesday.

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