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Royal Knights' Mitchell Dominant

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By EDDIE DANIELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 9, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Since sixth grade, Leah Mitchell recalls coming to the Jim Valentine Athletic Complex and playing volleyball on River Ridge's home court.

During that time, she saw several current players and couldn't wait for her time to come when she would be side-by-side with them on the court.

After being called up from the JV squad toward the end of last season, Mitchell has gotten her wish.

'Every since sixth grade, I've watched Brooke Castelamare and Emily Lehman and Brittney Frey, all of them, and I've always wanted to play with them,' Mitchell said. 'This season, I just feel so comfortable with the girls because I've known them for so long and have tried to build friendships with them. We're really close now.'

The sophomore has not just been a body on the floor, she has contributed to the Royal Knights' quest for the state tournament in Lakeland.

Thus far she stands at the top of the River Ridge kills list with 122.

Several times in River Ridge's 25-11, 25-15, 25-14 victory against Land O' Lakes, Mitchell played an imposing role on the front row. When Land O' Lakes would send an errant pass toward the net, Mitchell would send back a monstrous putback. Her first one in Game 1 increased the River Ridge advantage to 13-8 and forced the Gators into a timeout.

'Leah's the kind of kid that doesn't let things get to her,' River Ridge coach Heidi Castelamare said. 'She's able to make a mistake and she usually is able to fix it on the next play.'

The athletic ability runs in the family as two of her uncles were National Football League players. Not only are family genes at work, but she has also played club volleyball for the Pinellas Heat and has been on the national team for the past two years, something she plans to do again this offseason.

Another piece of the puzzle has been setter Kelly Hughes, who has been able to spread the ball around, keeping defenses off balanced and unable to key in on one hitter.

'I really have to think where the big middles are and where she's at, know who to set and throw them off,' said Hughes, who has 501 assists, 37 aces and 32 blocks, following the Land O' Lakes victory. 'We have different strategies depending on who's on the front row on the other side.'

Senior Emily Lehman called last week's game not just the best team performance, but also the best job Hughes has done sparking the offense.

'She did great tonight. I think this was her best game so far,' said Lehman, who has 72 kills. 'She was really moving her feet a lot more. Before she was kind of hesitating and now, she's going after every one.'

Although the Royal Knights had a down weekend in Lakeland - losing to Auburndale and Lakeland, while beating Plant City and Deltona to finish in fourth place - the players are beginning to believe in the high hopes put forth at the start of the season.

'At the beginning, during the summer when we would work out, I was kind of hesitant because Coach Cas was talking about going to states,' Lehman said. 'I didn't know we could do this.'

Added Hughes: 'We worked so hard to get where we are.'

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