TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Pasco County Prep Volleyball Preview

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 10, 2008

Bishop McLaughlin

COACH: Amy Wilson (third season)

DISTRICT: Class 2A-District 9

2007 RECORD: 9-13

KEY LOSSES: S Marissa Gill, OH Natalie Vanderhider

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Emily Addessi, L, Sr.; Allison Laney, OH, Sr.; Kristen Pawlowski, MB, Sr.; Nicole LeGat, MB, Jr.

COACH SAYS: "Every coach expects to win. What I really care about with this team is that they become one. The beginning of this season will be rough on the returning players because we have a small team with the exceptions of Allison, Kristen, and Nicole. I do expect them to play every game as if it were their last game and I want them to enjoy this season."

Gulf

COACH: Chris Vergnaud (first season)

DISTRICT: Class 4A-District 8

2007 RECORD: 9-10

KEY LOSSES: MB Carmen Figueroa, MH Shelby Flint, OH Amanda Gardner, S Kassi Hays, OH Nikki Johnson
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sammy Seybold, M/OH, Jr.

COACH SAYS: "With only one returning player, we are a very young team. As with every young team, we must rebuild and grow together as one. The girls have worked extremely hard over the summer and in preseason putting in the dedication and time for the rebuilding process. We have a group of determined and positive athletes who are willing to learn and grow as a team."

Hudson

COACH: Linda McQuade (19th season)

DISTRICT: Class 4A-District 8

2007 RECORD: 21-5

KEY LOSSES: S Mary Cook, LH Paige Lake, LH Lara Metz, DS Danielle Fennimore

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Hailee Bislick, LH, Sr.; Cara Carley, LH, Jr.; Jessica Christianson, L, Jr.; Randi Groff, DS, Jr.; Shannon Zasloff, MH, Jr.

COACH SAYS: "Looking forward to the team playing all-around volleyball."

Land O' Lakes

COACH: Michelle Griffin (second season)

DISTRICT: Class 5A-District 7

2007 RECORD: 17-11

KEY LOSSES: OH Jessica Bryant, MH Kayli Keough, MH Danielle Priest

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ashley Libernini, S, Sr.; Angella Della Penna, S, Sr.; Kasey Murray, L, Jr.

COACH SAYS: "This year's team is inexperienced with only one returning starter. We have a wide range of athletic girls with different talents. Our hopes are to build upon our experiences throughout the season and be where we need to be come districts."

Mitchell

COACH: Keith Paulk (fourth season)

DISTRICT: Class 6A-District 7

2007 RECORD: 19-8

KEY LOSSES: MH Sarah Bash, MH Erin Jackus, S Lea Weber

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Veronica Harring, S/OH, Sr.; Nikki Kirkpatrick, S/OH, Sr.; Amy Petrella, OH, Sr.; Jaclyn Romero, L, Sr.; Ariella Salvati, OH, Sr.; Alyssa Updegrave, MH, Sr.

COACH SAYS: "The outlook for 2008 is to again contend for a conference title. Mitchell has not finished worse than second place in the conference in the last three years and should be in the hunt again this year. This team is the most overall experienced at Mitchell ever with five senior starters and excellent backup players to challenge them every day in practice. In the tough Class 6A-District 7, Mitchell will challenge the dominance of Countryside and Sickles."

Pasco

COACH: Amy Herndon (first season)

DISTRICT: Class 4A-District 8

2007 RECORD: 5-13

KEY LOSSES: None

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Courtney Brandt, MB, So.; Lindsey Dious, MB, Sr.; Shelby Mander, OH, Jr.

COACH SAYS: "It's a brand-new year. This is a different team; they will not be the Pasco team that our competitors expect or remember. Our goal is to improve every game and work together as a team to achieve our goals."

Ridgewood

COACH: Amber Starkey (fifth season)

DISTRICT: Class 5A-District 7

2007 RECORD: 13-10

KEY LOSSES: MH Jen Daun, BR Megan Slotter

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sarangelys Cruz, MH, Jr.; Aleesa Williamson, OH, Sr.; Daylyn Williamson, S, Sr.

COACH SAYS: "Expect Aleesa and Daylyn to provide leadership on and off the court as well as experience. Aleesa will contribute offensively as an outside hitter and, Sarangelys Cruz, expect her to lead the team offensively. She's a solid all-around player."

River Ridge

COACH: Heidi Castelamare (15th season)

DISTRICT: Class 5A-District 7

2007 RECORD: 24-6

KEY LOSSES: OH/L Brooke Castelamare, MH/RH Brittany Frey, S Kelly Hughes, RH Lauren Sansoneti

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Rose Gilmartin, MH, Sr.; Gabriella Gonzalez, S, Jr.; Sarah Junot, S/RH, Jr.; Alex Laton, OH, Sr.; Emily Lehman, OH, Sr.; Leah Mitchell, MH, Jr.; Brianna Rish, L, Sr.; Rachel Tate, OH, Jr.; Irene Townsend, OH, Sr.

COACH SAYS: "I expect this team to get better each match. We lost a lot of returners, yet have gained experience through play that will allow us to still contend for the conference and district. This team has a lot of fun, but is able to focus when they need to. I expect consistent outside hitters, dominant middles and my libero is the best around. Setters are currently working on speeding up the offense to run a faster-paced game and quick attacks."

Sunlake

COACH: Aixa Crespo (first season)

DISTRICT: Class 4A-District 8

2007 RECORD: 1-16

KEY LOSSES: MH Taylor Almand

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Alexis Atkins, OH, So.; Daniely Cruz, OH/DS, Jr.; Lizmanelli Garcia, MH, Jr.; Rebecca Kraskow, S, Jr.; Lindsey Robinson, S, Jr.

COACH SAYS: "I have high expectations for this year. I want the team to improve more than 100 percent. The girls look good and they are working hard as a team. I am trying to build a solid program and looking forward to a great year as well as my players."

Wesley Chapel

COACH: Perri Hankins (first season)

DISTRICT: Class 5A-District 7

2007 RECORD: 0-13

KEY LOSSES: MH Jordan Hendrix

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sarah Bagamary, S, Sr.

Wiregrass Ranch

COACH: Mindy Kantor (second season)

DISTRICT: Class 4A-District 8

2007 RECORD: 6-15

KEY LOSSES: None

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ana Arroyo, DS, Sr.; Shawna Ballish, S, Sr.; April Candelaria, RS, Sr.; Tess Chase, M/OH, Sr.; Ashley Grates, OH/MH, So.; Chelsea Violenes, MH, So.

COACH SAYS: "Level of play has increased from last year with the addition of talented freshman class along with new incoming upperclassmen. Competitiveness has increased, and I would like to see team compete for the district title."

Zephyrhills

COACH: Dan Muir (first season)

DISTRICT: Class 4 A-District 8

2007 RECORD: 22-7

KEY LOSSES: S/MH Kristen Arnold, OH Jessica Davis, MB Jessica McCall, OH/DS Kayla Wright

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Lindsay Arnold, S, Jr.; Lacey Cook, OH, Jr.; Megan Gonzalez, L, Sr.; Taylor Willis, MH/MB, Jr.

COACH SAYS: "We will be young. I have three juniors and two sophomores starting. I expect to start slow, but I think the athleticism and the desire these ladies are showing will mature and grow as a team to finish very strong."

Eddie Daniels

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT