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Playoff Volleyball Roundup: Brandon Advances After Gas Delay

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A Tribune staff report

Published: November 6, 2008

BRANDON - A gas leak in Brandon's science lab delayed the Class 5A region quarterfinal match between the host Eagles and Ridgewood on Wednesday, forcing players to wait in the school's parking lot until it was safe to return.

Although they were playing in their home gym, the postponement hindered Brandon more than the visiting Rams.

The Eagles uncharacteristically lacked focus in the first game, which they lost 21-25, but recovered to win the next three, 25-16, 25-16, 25-21, to advance to the region semifinals on Tuesday where they will face River Ridge.

"There was a gas leak in the science lab and we had to evacuate," Brandon coach Amy Watson said. "We were waiting out in the parking lot in the cold. Then the not knowing if we were going to play and warming up, and then cooling down, and then warming up again was a problem."

Junior outside hitter Aly Woodlee led the Eagles (24-1) with 18 kills while Audra Geniesse had 15. Devin Whale controlled the offense with 22 assists and sophomore setter Lindsey Watson added 10 kills and 16 assists.

Junior Sarangelys Cruiz led the Rams (14-10) with six kills.

"The difference between the first and second games was our passing and getting off our attacks," Ridgewood coach Amber Starkey said. "We can't count on them to make mistakes. They mixed some things up in the second and third game and our timing was off."

Nick Williams

Plant Advances Past East Lake

TAMPA - Plant has lost one game, but no matches, in more than a month.

In the first round of the Class 5A regional playoffs against visiting East Lake, the Panthers finally got more of the challenge they were looking for.

Sort of.

The final score, in Plant's favor, was 25-16, 25-11, 25-18.

It was a match that left the nationally ranked Panthers (25-3), satisfied but wanting more.

"We were definitely more excited because we were playing against a team that was more our equal," said Plant outside hitter Danielle Erb, who finished with eight kills and nine digs. "I think we were made a few mistakes early because we were excited, and then we settled down."

And dominated.

With outside hitter Maddie Martin flying high (15 kills, three aces), Ali McCurdy flying everywhere (15 digs) and Becca Howard (29 assists) setting it all up, the outcome was never in much doubt.

"I think it was a good start to the regionals," Plant coach Leanna Taylor said. "We did some good things tonight, but we anticipate only getting better from here."

Scott Purks

River Ridge Gets Past Newsome

NEW PORT RICHEY - At times Wednesday night, River Ridge didn't look like the team that blew through Pasco County competition, winning its eighth consecutive Sunshine Athletic Conference title and its 12th overall district crown.

Despite the hiccup, the Royal Knights beat visiting Newsome, 25-18, 25-15, 25-27, 25-19, advancing to Tuesday's Class 5A regional semifinals.

River Ridge (24-4) fought Newsome (12-4) off in Game 1 after building a 16-7 advantage. The Wolves strung together a 5-0 run, but couldn't overcome River Ridge's hitters and height.

Newsome took its first lead of the night in Game 3 and proceeded to outpace the Royal Knights, 13-6, forcing a timeout.

"Third game, 11 hitting errors and five service errors; 16 points we just gave up," River Ridge coach Heidi Castelamare said. "But we were able to fight back and that's a good thing."

River Ridge erased a 10-point deficit, serving for game-point before dropping Game 3.

"I think our girls played probably as good as they could," said Newsome coach Shelby Jordan. "We've always had issues all season with our level of energy and keeping it constant, so we play hard all the time. I don't think tonight was any different."

Alex Laton led River Ridge with 15 kills, while Irene Townsend collected 23 digs.

Eddie Daniels

Canes Sweep Past Falcons

PALM HARBOR - Palm Harbor (24-3), led by front-court duo Morgan Kosterlitz and Chelsea King, advanced to face Plant in the Class 5A regional semifinals with a 25-16, 25-7, 25-10 win against Leto (12-6).

The Falcons were led by Fatina Dominguiz with five kills, while Debbie Ramirez had 13 assists.

Palm Harbor asserted itself early in the first two sets, taking 4-0 and 8-0 advantages respectively. In the third, Leto tied the score at 3-3 and again at 5-5 before taking a 7-5 lead, but the Falcons couldn't stay close from then on.

Mike Moore

Berkeley Eases To Victory

TAMPA - Berkeley Prep (25-2) easily cruised to a win in its Class 3A region quarterfinal match against Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (18-9), as the Buccaneers defeated the Cougars 25-10, 25-7, 25-13.

Berkeley Prep has had strong play from a young lineup throughout the season and according to coach Randy Dagostino, the team's continual improvement was evident in the quarterfinal win.

"I think we have played the toughest schedule a high school team can play," Dagostino said. "With a young team, anything can happen."

Some of that youth on display came from two freshmen, Jordan Burgess and MacKenzie Dagostino. Burgess led the Buccaneers with 10 kills, while Dagostino had seven kills, 15 assists and three blocks.

Also coming through for Berkeley Prep was junior middle hitter Lindsay Young, who had seven kills out of nine sets coming her way. Christina Theofilos added 26 assists.Jarrett Guthrie

Lancers Cruise Past Canterbury

ST. PETERSBURG - Cambridge is two wins from advancing to the Class 1A state tournament after dispatching Canterbury 25-18, 25-21, 25-13 in the region quarterfinal.

The win was Cambridge's second of the season against Canterbury. But despite already beating the host Crusaders, the visiting Lancers were concerned. That was because Canterbury (16-9) was without middle hitter Megan Burgess.

Burgess' impact was limited, though, as Cambridge used its defense to counter her.

"We knew we had to be scrappy," Cambridge coach Janelle Barnes said. Barnes cited Melissa Olsson's defense that took away any advantage Burgess may have given Canterbury.

Lee Diekemper

Bayshore Moves On Past Lakeside

TAMPA - Bayshore Christian coach Melanie Humenansky had good reason to celebrate tonight, both on and off the court.

Bayshore swept Lakeside Christian (10-12) in three sets, 25-11, 25-15, 25-11 on the 14-year anniversary of Humenansky's wedding.

Sophomore Gabby Fernandez once again led Bayshore in kills with 14 for the night, but Humenansky called the match "a total team effort."

Michael Franz

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