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Keough Was Difference-Maker

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By EDDIE DANIELS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 28, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Just call Kayli Keough a problem.

Her presence on the volleyball court, particularly at the net, forced numerous opponents to rotate their offense away from the 6-foot-2 senior and attempt to pinpoint return shots away from the middle hitter.

"It's great," Keough said of those opponents, who go away from her during matches. "You know, you build that trust where you can count on them. Our team was kind of shaky at first. At the beginning of the season, we really didn't know what to expect because we lost our senior setter and Ashley Libernini had to come in this game and she did amazing. Just knowing we can count on each other. This win is good for the season because we know we can count on each other, and we've got that chemistry going right now, we just have to keep it there."

On eight separate occasions, Keogh ran up double-digit kill totals, including a 20-kill effort in Land O' Lakes' 25-22, 18-25, 25-22, 25-15 victory against River Ridge.

"Honestly the first thing I said on Kayli's first kill was, 'I'm going to miss her next season.' That was the first thing I said," Land O' Lakes coach Michelle Griffin said following that victory. "She brings so much energy to the team. Every time she has a kill, it just brings up everyone and it changes the way that we're playing."

During the 2007 volleyball season, Keough, The Tampa Tribune's Pasco County Volleyball Athlete of the Year, led the Gators in kills (212) and kill percentage (43) and was just four blocks shy from leading the team in that category as well.

She collected the Sunshine Athletic Conference's Player of the Year and an honorable mention on the all-state team.

Fortunately, those on the opposite side of the net don't have to deal with Keough as she will move on to play basketball at Florida State.

Graduation equals a problem solved, at least for volleyball foes.

"I always tell the girls we get real excited when we have a block or a kill and for those hitters it's key, especially Kayli," Griffin said. "Pretty much the best thing we know about every time she touches the ball, there's about a 99 percent chance it's not coming back. That's an awesome feeling."

For some, that's definitely a problem.

VOLLEYBALL FIRST TEAM

Brooke Castelamare, River Ridge

Brittney Frey, River Ridge
Kayli Keough, Land O' Lakes

Jessica McCall, Zephyrhills

Lara Metz, Hudson

Lea Weber, Mitchell

Coach of the Year: Tiffany Bibby, Zephyrhills

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