TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Terrapins Rally, But Fall In Semifinal

Tribune photo by JASON BEHNKEN

Tampa Prep's Caroline Dillabough and Dana Malinowski try for a block during Palmer Trinity's 3-2 win in the 2008 Class 2A State Semifinals Wednesday night at the Lakeland Center.

ADVERTISEMENT

By NICK WILLIAMS

nwilliams@tampatrib.com

Published: November 20, 2008

Updated: 11/20/2008 05:55 pm

LAKELAND - Tampa Prep senior volleyball player Alena Ransom felt a sense of pride walking into The Lakeland Center on Wednesday.

"I felt like we deserved to be here," she said. "When we walked in, it felt right to be here."

Her teammates felt it, too.

After a four-year absence, they had brought one of the most successful volleyball programs in the state back to the state tournament. It was the first state appearance for every player on Prep's roster.

For Ransom and two other seniors, it was also their last.

Miami Palmer Trinity defeated Tampa Prep in five sets, 25-21, 25-18, 21-25, 23-25, 15-8, to advance to today's Class 2A state championship at 2 p.m.

The Terrapins finished the season 15-14.

Trailing 2-0, Prep won sets three and four to force a fifth set.

"They came together as a group," Tampa Prep coach Mike Flynn said.

Tampa Prep was in a similar situation Saturday. Against Northside Christian in the region final, the Terrapins were down 2-0, but won three consecutive sets to win the match and advance to the state tournament.

After winning the third set 25-21, the players said they felt the momentum change.

"I felt like everyone on the team had that mentality," senior libero Anna Dalence said.

Senior middle hitter Dana Malinowski won the fourth set on a service ace, and it appeared the Terrapins were destined to win the fifth set. Trinity jumped out to a 9-5 lead, however, and Tampa Prep couldn't conjure another rally.

"If that game had gone to 25, we would have won," junior setter Caroline Dillabough said.

"They lost initiative of the ball on both sides, and we took advantage," Palmer Trinity coach William Gonzalez said.

Ransom led Tampa Prep with 15 kills, while Malinowski had 14 kills and 21 digs. Dillabough had 44 assists, and eighth-grader Katie Krueger had a team-high three blocks. Freshman Paulina Prieto led Trinity with 21 kills.

"It was a great way to finish my high school career," Malinowski said.

"They made the red and yellow, the young ladies that played in Tampa Prep's program, very proud tonight," Flynn said. "There are a lot of smiling former Terrapins."

Tampa Prep last advanced to the state tournament in 2004, when it won the program's 15th title. The 15 state titles are second all-time behind Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons' record of 18.

COUGARS FALL: Countryside's dream season came to an end Wednesday when the previously undefeated Cougars lost to Orlando Timber Creek 28-26, 25-16, 25-22 in the Class 6A state volleyball semifinals.

Timber Creek (30-2) will face Royal Palm Beach in the state championship tonight at 7.

University of Tampa signee Jessica Yingling led the Wolves, ranked No. 35 in the ESPN Fab 50 national poll, with 20 kills and 24 digs. Countryside senior outside hitter Madison Truluck led Countryside (29-1) with 14 kills, 21 digs and four blocks.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT