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Dream Season Ends For Durant

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By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 18, 2007

Updated: 11/18/2007 12:45 am

Photo Gallery: Durant At State Finals

LAKELAND - Two years ago, when Durant volleyball coach Dawn Hough took over the program, she instilled a belief in the players that a state volleyball championship was attainable.

Hough's faith came to fruition Saturday, when the Cougars played in the program's first state championship match since 2002, the same year the program won its third state title. Unfortunately, the result wasn't the same as in 2002 as Gainesville Buchholz defeated Durant 25-17, 25-16, 25-15 at The Lakeland Center.

Although in tears, the players and Hough were able to keep their heads high, knowing they had ended the season as the Class 6A runner-up.

"Second in the state is pretty darn good," senior outside hitter Stephanie Eukovich said, "so I'm proud of us."

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," junior middle hitter Kelsey Horton said.

Sitting beside her teammates behind a long, white-and-blue decorated table inside the press room, Durant junior Lindi Oest looked at her coach with a smile.

"You made us believe," Oest said, holding back tears. "You always talked about state and you made us believe."

Since 2002, Durant hadn't advanced farther than the second round of the playoffs.

Hough, a former Durant graduate and standout volleyball player, said she knew she had a state championship team when she took over the program, even if no one else thought so.

"After practicing with them after the first week, I knew," Hough said. "I always saw it. It's the most chemistry I've ever seen on a team. I definitely saw it."

Eukovich led Durant (21-7) with six kills. Junior Chelsea Morris and senior middle blocker Aly Anzalone each had five. Senior setter Alexa Donini had 16 assists.

Buchholz, which won its first 6A volleyball title, was led by sophomore outside hitter Christine Pinder, who had a match-high 15 kills. Buchholz, ranked No. 2 in the 6A state poll, defeated Durant 3-0 during the Berkeley Premier Tournament in Tampa earlier this season.

In the first game, Buchholz gained an 8-0 lead before Durant was able to settle itself, closing the gap to as close as 21-17. A regrouped Durant led 2-1 in the second game, but when the Bobcats (27-5) turned to Pinder, they regained the lead and served Durant off the court. Facing defeat, the Cougars battled to a 9-8 lead in the third game, but slowly and surely, Buchholz gained the lead to win the match.

The players said they played uncharacteristically.

"Today, it felt like we were back at the beginning of the season," Eukovich said.

Hough said she will not return to coach the program because she is moving to Fort Lauderdale. Though her players may have felt they played poorly, Hough saw nothing negative. They did everything she asked them to do.

In their final huddle of the season, she told the team how proud she was of them.

"I just stressed we're second in the state and we weren't state ranked," said Hough, also in tears. "That proves we belong here."

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

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