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Pirates Learn Virtues Of Versatility

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By EDDIE DANIELS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 25, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - With the Pasco volleyball team, you literally never know what you're going to get if you're an opponent.

Pirates coach Amy Herndon is developing her players to be well-rounded, and they can find themselves in the back row during one game or a right side or middle hitter in the next. It's a practice of necessity and strategy.

The need for versatility was highlighted when junior libero Megan Newsome, who was having one of her best seasons, broke her leg after colliding with a teammate Sept. 11 against Hudson.

"Every single one of our girls is strong and the reason we picked the team was because they were able to play multiple positions," Herndon said. "Every game is different and we coach game to game, so girls know they have to be ready to play any position I throw them into."

Herndon stressed it was important for her players to understand, they weren't moved from one position to another because of their play. Simply, it's what the team needs.

The Pirates (4-5) lost Tuesday night at Zephyrhills, but beat Land O' Lakes and Gulf last Wednesday and Thursday to end a three-game slide. Pasco travels to Springstead on Friday.

HUSTLING HURRICANES: In the first month of the 2008 season, Bishop McLaughlin already has endured two tournaments. Most teams are gearing up for future tourneys, while the Hurricanes have been there and done that.

"Our first game was against Tampa Catholic and since then, it's been continuous play, play, play, play," Bishop McLaughlin coach Amy Wilson said. "We haven't had a really full week of practice since the season started, so they've been exhausted."

The Hurricanes are a Class 2A team and in the tournaments, they've faced 5A and 6A schools, forcing them to step up their level of play.

"The girls really get to see what real competitive volleyball is like," Wilson said, "and then it gives them an idea of what they really have to work on and how much 'team' really means to them."

Wilson believes the Hurricanes (4-10) can go one of two ways as the season progresses. If they play like she thinks they can, that way will be on the way up.

Tonight the Hurricanes host Admiral Farragut, a team Bishop McLaughlin beat in three games Sept. 11.

TROTTING ALONG: Needless to say, Mitchell coach Keith Paulk and his Mustangs were shocked when they were handed a 15-25, 25-23, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12 loss from fledgling Wiregrass Ranch. Since that Sept. 10 loss, the Mustangs have knocked off Alonso, Gaither, Sickles, Chamberlain and Gulf. And with its victory against St. Petersburg on Tuesday night, Mitchell (10-4) is sitting in second place in 6A-District 7.

"That's good because carrying that No. 2 seed in the tournament is helpful," Paulk said. "Of course, if we could beat Countryside, we might even get to flip the coin for the first seed."

WEEK OF REST: Of all the times for the schedule to call for a full week without a game is likely what Ridgewood coach Amber Starkey is thinking. Her Rams (2-3) had last week off and returned to action Tuesday night for the first of three matches on consecutive days.

Plenty of coaches hold tight to the belief that it is in those tough games that a team's character blossoms and forces them to raise their game.

"Absolutely, especially with two of them River Ridge and Central being district games and we haven't played in a week," Starkey said. "We'll see how the team responds to the challenge."

Helping in that response will be offensive leader Sarangelys Cruz, a junior middle hitter, as well as the team's lone seniors: Aleesa and Daylyn Williamson.

DAUN RETURNS: Former Ridgewood multiple sport star Jenn Daun made her way back Tuesday night - sort of. Daun, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker for Warner Southern College, and her Royals teammates took on Florida College in Temple Terrace. The Falcons collected a 25-19, 25-13, 25-17 victory, dropping Warner Southern's record to 4-8.

The Royals will host Savannah College of Art and Design on Friday night at 7.

STAT LEADERS: For a full listing of Pasco County volleyball stat leaders, go to www2.tbo.com/sports/preps/.

The Volleyball Notebook will run every Thursday in the Pasco Tribune. Coaches who want to add their team's information can submit their entries to Eddie Daniels by calling (813) 948-4214 or e-mailing edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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