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Despite Record, Gryphons Intend To Make Postseason

By NICK WILLIAMS

nwilliams@tampatrib.com

Published: October 19, 2008

During his nine years as coach, Rob Brashear has guided the Sickles volleyball program to eight playoff appearances. The team has made four consecutive playoffs appearances, and last year advanced to the Class 6A region semifinals, the furthest any Gryphons team had gone since 2004.

Although the team lost key players to graduation from last year's 23-5 squad, which included all-county and all-state outside hitter Sara Vance, the Gryphons (11-12) don't intend to let that streak end this year.

Sickles will enter the 6A-District 7 tournament next week as the No. 3 seed, where Brashear anticipates his team will face No. 2 seed Mitchell in the district semifinals. A win would put them in the district championship, possibly against top-seed Countryside, and secure another playoff berth.

"We have a team that is really talented," he said. "Sometimes we are hit or miss. We've had some ups and downs. We gave away a bunch of games and we could have won at least 75 percent of them. [But] I have a team that is very capable."

Senior setter Madison Comperry controls the offense and defense as she leads the team with 491 assists, 212 digs and 82 aces. Junior outside hitter Lauren Ramsey is the go-to attacker with 220 kills
"She's in a new position, she played middle for us last year," Brashear said of Ramsey. "She's making better decisions."

The Gryphons end the regular season against Chamberlain (8-12) on Tuesday.

BERKELEY SWEEPS 3A CHAMPS: Berkeley Prep defeated four-time defending 3A champ Orlando Lake Highland Prep for the second time this season, winning 25-21, 25-17, 25-18 Thursday. The last three years, Lake Highland has eliminated Berkeley in the 3A state tournament.

The Buccaneers (20-2) will play at rival Tampa Prep (8-11) on Tuesday. Berkeley won the first meeting, 3-1, and defeated the Terrapins in the Berkeley Premier, 3-0.

TOP PERFORMERS

Plant junior Maddie Martin had 15 kills against Orlando Lake Highland Prep.

Brandon sophomore setter Lindsey Watson had 18 kills, 13 aces, 19 digs and 20 assists in two matches this week.

Bloomingdale sophomore Brittney Stirling had seven kills against Tampa Bay Tech.

TRIBUNE TOP 5

1. BERKELEY PREP (20-2): Buccaneers face rival Tampa Prep on Tuesday.
2. PLANT (18-3): Maddie Martin seems ready to go for the postseason.
3. BRANDON (19-1): Eagles go undefeated in district play.
4. ACADEMY OF THE HOLY NAMES (13-5): Jaguars have a tough challenge in Bayshore Christian on Tuesday.
5. ARMWOOD (12-4): Hawks battled five games to beat last week's No. 4 Newsome.

FEATURED PLAYER

CHELSEY PACHOUD
Riverview, senior, outside hitter
ABOUT PACHOUD: Division I recruit is having a stellar season, leading the Sharks with 171 kills, 41 aces, 20 blocks, 198 digs and 30 assists.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848.

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