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River Ridge Lived Up To Lofty Reputation

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: November 13, 2008

BRANDON - Tuesday was the culmination of a season some might not have expected from the River Ridge volleyball team.

The Royal Knights had five players graduate who were starters or heavy contributors to the 2007 district championship team. This season, an athletic group of players had to step in.

Those players didn't just fill in, they continued a level of success that has become commonplace at River Ridge.

After succumbing to Brandon's all-around efficiency in the Class 5A-Region 2 semifinals, 25-14, 25-20, 28-26, Coach Heidi Castelamare was disappointed and at the same time appreciated the effort her squad gave.

"We're 24-5, that's one of the best records we've ever had," Castelamare said. "I think there's only one or two other times in the school's history, as far as volleyball is concerned, we've had five or less losses. I think there are a couple in there that are three, maybe four losses. It's real hard to go undefeated in volleyball if you're playing solid competition."

Solid is what Brandon (25-1) proved to be.

The Eagles were adept at digging up River Ridge's attacks, and the Brandon front row contested nearly every volley.

Offensively, Brandon did an effective job of altering their points of attack.

"I'd rather end against a strong team, and they were a strong team all the way around," Castelamare said.

Down two games, it was apparent in Game 3 the Royal Knights weren't ready for the season to end.

River Ridge held a 24-21 advantage at one point, but the lead began to wither shortly after Aly Woodlee's kill.

The next Eagles point was gained on a River Ridge hitting error, and consecutive aces gave Brandon the lead, 25-24.

The fight never waned for the Royal Knights, but a free ball tip by the Eagles gave them the final point and ended the River Ridge season. It is the second consecutive season Brandon has ended River Ridge's season in the region semifinals.

"It's whoever wanted it the most, I guess," Castelamare said. "We just had a few unforced errors at that time. They made very few errors. They did a really good job."

River Ridge won the program's seventh consecutive district title, and its 12th in 14 seasons. In the process of winning the district, the Royal Knights also earned their eighth consecutive Sunshine Athletic Conference crown, their 11{+t}{+h} overall.

"They're a phenomenal team," Brandon coach Amy Watson said of River Ridge.

Cobras Looking Forward To '09

HUDSON - After a loss to Orlando Bishop Moore in the Class 4A-Region 2 volleyball semifinals Tuesday, Hudson coach Linda McQuade will take a day to think about what could have been. But her thoughts will quickly turn to what is going to be.

The Cobras (21-8) started the season with three returning varsity players. Yet they won the district title and a match in the FHSAA state series.

Next season, the Cobras could have as many as 13 returning players and a legitimate chance to advance to the state final four for the first time since 2004.

"We have 13 returning, so that's pretty good," said McQuade, who has coached the Cobras to 12 region appearances, three final fours and one finals appearance. "We should be all right. We'll be solid."

In the 25-15, 25-18, 25-14 loss, Bishop Moore (23-7) dominated every aspect of the game.

"We never got into any rhythm Tuesday," McQuade said. "And when we did for about five points, we would make a mistake and fall right back in to that 'what are we doing' kind of thing. If we had brought our A game, it might have been a different story."

The Hornets' fast-paced offense seemed to give Hudson a lot of trouble.

"We were a little slower than we have been," McQuade said. "We were like a step behind. They were running a fast-paced offense, but we were just a step behind. We were almost there, but not there. We had a lot of indecision, which is unusual. Usually, everybody goes for the ball."

In Game 1, Hudson fell behind 7-3 but rallied to tie it at 11. The Hornets scored 14 of the final 18 points to put the Cobras away.

Hudson looked like it was going to bounce back in Game 2, jumping out to 9-4 lead, but Bishop Moore battled back to tie it at 14 and never trailed again. The final game was all Bishop Moore, as it scored the first seven points, and the closest Hudson got was 11-9.

"We had some trouble at the net, and I don't know why," McQuade said. "We usually don't.

"It might have been the day off school. Usually we don't have that problem."

Rick Harmon

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