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Terrapins Roll Into Semis

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A Tribune staff report

Published: November 5, 2008

TAMPA - The Tampa Prep volleyball team sailed into the Class 2A region semifinals on Tuesday with a 25-9, 25-9, 25-7 win against visiting Fort Meade in the quarterfinals.

The Terrapins (13-13) will face Indian Rocks Christian, a 25-10, 25-13, 25-20 winner against Lakeland Christian, in a quarterfinal match on Nov. 11.

Senior middle hitter Dana Malinowski led Tampa Prep with 14 kills and three aces. "In order for us to be successful we have to establish our middle," Tampa Prep coach Mike Flynn said. "We want a fast, counter-punching offense."

Sophomore Ericka McGriff added nine kills, junior setter Carolina Dillabough had 25 assists and senior libero Anna Dalence was the defensive catalyst with 14 digs.

The Terrapins advanced to the 2A region final in 2007 and last won a state title in 2004.

"Their play tonight dictates their hunger," Flynn said. "Tuesday will dictate their hunger. I think their hunger for winning a state title is determined by how well they play."

Nick Williams

Durant Defeated By Countryside

CLEARWATER - Durant entered the Class 6A quarterfinal at Countryside with history on its side. Despite its best effort, it still wasn't enough to derail a perfect season.

Chelsea Morris finished with a team-leading 10 kills and 15 digs, while Erika Wardzinski added 30 sets, but Durant, which posted 12 regional quarterfinal victories the past 14 years, fell in three tight games 25-21, 25-18, 26-24.

"This is one of the better matches we've played this year, but Countryside is a good, solid team," Durant coach Jeff Davis said. "They make you work for everything and we got a little shaky at the end each time."

Madison Truluck led Countryside (27-0) with 18 kills, while Sara Wright finished with 41 sets to send the Cougars to the region semifinals. Countryside plays Lakeland on the road Tuesday. Lakeland defeated Sickles to earn a semifinal berth.

Durant (12-13) shocked the home crowd by winning the first seven points of Game 1, but Countryside rallied to take its first lead at 15-14 and eventually won a back-and-forth opener when Durant failed to return serves on the final two points.

"This is a game of runs," Davis said. "We knew they would come back."

Countryside, which has now lost just two of 79 games this season, broke a tie at 14 with five straight points to eventually take Game 2 and fought back from a Durant game point to win the final three points and win the match.

Chris Errington

Sickles Falls To Host Lakeland

LAKELAND - Sickles' season came to an end after Lakeland swept the Gryphons in a Class 6A-Region 2 quarterfinal.

The host Dreadnaughts got a match-high 24 kills from senior Krista Andersen and rolled to a 25-6, 25-14, 25-22 victory.

Lakeland (21-5) used big scoring runs in each game to take control, and the Gryphons just couldn't seem to answer.

In Game 1, the Dreadnaughts started on a 7-0 run and then scored the game's final six points to close out the win. In Game 2, the Dreadnaughts used a 12-0 run to erase a 10-7 deficit and take a commanding lead they wouldn't relinquish. In Game 3, Lakeland again erased a deficit with a 12-2 run, which gave them a 21-13 lead, and then held off a fierce Sickles rally at the end to preserve the win.

Lauren Ramsey led the Gryphons (13-13) win nine kills, five coming in Game 3.

Adam Adkins

Hudson Rallies To Advance

HUDSON - Despite dropping the opening game, Hudson regrouped to collect a 23-25, 25-14, 25-18, 25-20 victory against Groveland South Lake in the Class 4A-Region 2 quarterfinals.

The Cobras (21-7) will face Orlando Bishop Moore (22-7), who defeated Brooksville Nature Coast, in Tuesday's semifinals.

Hudson's serve receive and big blocking allowed the team to keep the Eagles on their heels. Senior Hallie Bislick had 35 digs, while libero Jessica Christianson collected nine.

Middle hitters Katy McGee and Shannon Zasloff collected nine and four blocks, respectively.

"My middles, they came to play tonight," Hudson coach Linda McQuade said. "They did a lot of blocking. That's what we've been working on and finally it came through."

One example of their tough play at the net took place in Game 4, when McGee blocked three consecutive Eagles shots. The volley ended when South Lake's free ball sailed wide.

Eddie Daniels

COMMITMENT: Either way, Jesuit swimmer Vinny Donnelly was going to be swimming in Indiana. In the end though, he chose Purdue over the Hoosiers. The senior distance standout verbally committed to the Boilermakers, ending pressure-filled months of recruiting.

"I like their coaches and the swimming program and I like the school because I want to be a civil engineer," Donnelly said.

Now Donnelly is focused on Thursday's region meet, where he qualified in two individual events and two relays.

"This is a big weight off my shoulders," Donnelly said. "I'm just looking forward to regions and then state."

Katherine Smith

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