TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Powerful Panthers Want To 3-Peat

ADVERTISEMENT

By NICK WILLIAMS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 1, 2008

Updated: 09/01/2008 12:36 am

TAMPA - In 2005, the Plant High volleyball team saw an early exit from the postseason after being eliminated in the regional semifinals by Venice. Having won state titles in 2001, 2002 and 2003, it marked the second consecutive year the Panthers were ousted from the playoffs by Venice.

Though that season ended early, it also saw the emergence of a new generation of players at Plant, one that has grown accustomed to winning state titles and returned the program to national powerhouse status.

As a result of a tireless determination to win it all, it was a business-as-usual campaign in 2006 when the Panthers won their first Class 5A title since 2003.

In 2007, they defended the title and were a little more carefree, celebrating the end of the outstanding career of graduating senior - the lone senior on the team - and current Duke freshman Kellie Catanach.

Prepvolleball.com ranked Plant 17th in the nation at the end of 2007. This year, the Panthers are ranked No. 5 in the preseason poll.

"This year is going to be more like a science," said Coach Leanna Taylor, who is entering her fourth season. "All of the girls here have done it. We know what it takes and it'll be perfecting the peak. We don't want to peak too early. I want them to peak at the region quarterfinals."

The Panthers' roster this season resembles an all-star team. Junior outside hitter Maddie Martin (6-foot-2), who committed to Penn State before the season, and 6-0 senior outside hitter Danielle Erb, both all-state selections, form the best attack in the county - perhaps even the state. Martin and Erb recorded more than 300 kills apiece last season and were vital in the team's journey to the state championship.

"We're really focused this year," Erb said, "every match, every game just to three-peat."

"This year is more important because we have a target on our back," Martin said.

Junior libero Ali McCurdy has been the defensive catalyst for the last two years and has numerous Division I schools pursuing her signature. Plant also returns outside hitter Ariel Ley, whom Taylor said could play some setter this season, middle hitter Jordan Dickie and Catanach's younger sister, Tina.

"They can all play any position," Taylor said.

In addition, Plant welcomed junior setter Becca Howard, who transferred from Berkeley Prep during the summer. Last season, Howard was named all-state and all-county.

Plant will represent Florida at the Nike Challenge in Chicago on Oct. 3-4, a 24-team tournament consisting of the top teams in the country.

"We're ecstatic," Erb said.

In all, the Plant program has won seven state titles, five this decade. The last two Tampa Tribune Hillsborough County Volleyball Players of the Year have been from Plant - Christine Williamson in 2006 and Catanach, the 2007 Florida Gatorade and Florida Dairy Farmers Player of the Year.

But the players realize the national recognition, state title trophies and banners hanging in their gym don't guarantee another title this season.

"Every tournament and match is important," McCurdy said. "We can't think we'll automatically go to state."

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT