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Panthers Repeat As 5A Volleyball Champions

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By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 16, 2007

LAKELAND - Thursday night at The Lakeland Center, the Plant volleyball team made a statement as strong as the leather holding together the ball they play with.

Plant is the best Class 5A volleyball team in the state of Florida, no question.

After defeating Tallahassee Leon in the 5A state championship 25-20, 25-19, 25-20, Plant won its second consecutive state title and seventh overall. The team ends the season with a record of 29-1, the No. 1 ranking in the 5A state poll, which they held all year except for one week, and a national ranking. As of Thursday, Plant was ranked No. 22 in the Century Club National Poll, making them the highest nationally ranked Florida team. One can only assume the Panthers will rise in the poll, having won another state title.

When asked if they felt the label was legit, none of the players or Coach Leanna Taylor hesitated to nod their head in agreement.

"I really do feel that way," Taylor said. "When I look at all the brackets and I'm like, 'We beat them, we beat them, we beat them,' so I think we've got the ability, and I know any given day any team can win a match, but I think we've got the talent, the experience and we've got the heart. It's safe to say we're No. 1."

The players said it's an honor to play for a program like Plant.

"It's a privilege," said sophomore outside hitter Maddie Martin, who finished with 11 kills.

"I think we've earned it," said junior hitter Danielle Erb, who also had 11 kills. "We really earned it this year."

Leon didn't have an answer for Martin or Erb and never led by more than a point. The Lions were led by Alex Johnson, who had nine kills.

"We talked to them about just hitting the ball hard," Taylor said. "We knew that this team was scrappy and that they weren't going to let up. We said, 'Don't be afraid' and just play, play, play. They played fabulous."

Duke-bound setter Kellie Catanach, the lone senior on the team, finished her prep career with 36 assists, 21 digs and eight kills. The younger players said they dedicated the season to the "big sister" on the team.

"This whole season was for Kellie," Erb said.

"That was my whole thought process was to win this for Kellie," Martin said.

For Taylor, knowing it was Catanach's last game meant more. As a player for Catanach's father, Chris Catanach, at the University of Tampa, Taylor had the privilege of knowing Kellie as a toddler.

"We've grown up together in a sense," Taylor said. "I remember when Plant freshman Tina Catanach was born, but I can always remember Kellie being in the stands and seeing the great girl she was. She's a great role model and I'm so proud of her right now."

As she accepted the game ball and state trophy, the Plant fans chanted "Kellie, Kellie, Kellie."

"I think playing for Plant High School and going to Plant High School has really changed me as a person," Catanach said. "I've grown so much over the four years. It's just been a great, great experience."

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

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