TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Volleyball: Armwood, Newsome reach semis

ADVERTISEMENT

TBO.com

Published: November 4, 2009

SEFFNER - Things were going exactly as many expected in Tuesday's Class 5A-Region 2 quarterfinal at Armwood — until, that is, the end of the third game.

That's when visiting Brooksville Central got a spark, then got red hot, erasing a four-point deficit and taking the game 25-22.

"It took us (three games) for us to get going," Central coach Emily Gore said. "It's like something needs to happen in the match before we believe we can do it. We finally got that in that third game."

However, it was too little too late. Armwood went on to take the match about 20 minutes later, 25-19, 25-12, 22-25, 25-20. The Hawks (15-1) move on to host Tuesday's region semifinal against Newsome, a team the Hawks hold a 2-0 record against this season, including a tight district final victory.

"I expect that match to be very competitive," Armwood coach Mike Wyatt said. "It's pretty exciting right now."

On Tuesday, Wyatt had few criticisms except for the Hawks' serving miscues, which he believed allowed Central (13-9) back into the match.

"Through the year our serving has been one of our strong points," Wyatt said. "We had a little letdown tonight. I think we might have gotten a little too excited (at the end of the third game). I'm sure we'll get that straightened out."

Scott Purks

Newsome advances

OCALA -- In the second game of the 5A-2 tournament at Ocala Forest, Newsome led 13-12 and was serving. But before the Wolves knew it, Forest had scored 10 consecutive points and tied the match at 1 with a 25-14 win.

But Newsome (15-7) didn't let that lapse get in the way of the ultimate goal. The Wolves bounced back and scored the first seven points of Game 3 en route to a 25-21, 14-25, 25-22, 25-21 victory to advance to the region semifinals next Tuesday at Armwood.

"It was like two different teams," Newsome coach Kate Correa said. "I told the girls that if we were going to come out of here with a W, we have got to make sure we are playing point-for-point. Don't get caught stuck on your heels and not try to play hard each play. It's hard to come back from playing in the hole. You have to play each play as it comes."

In Game 4, senior Lauren Zellmer made sure her season wasn't going to come to an end just yet. The score was tied 11 times, the last time on the first of three consecutive kills by Zellmer, who unofficially finished the match with 12 kills. With Hillary Byrd serving, the Wolves scored four straight points to take a 23-19 lead, then the teams traded points until Jonni Raga recorded the final kill of the match.

"We had played Forest (16-11) before at the Gainesville tournament and beat them," Correa said. "I knew they had a good team and I did not want to go five games with this crowd."

Rick Harmon

Class 5A-Region 3

TAMPA -- For a moment, it appeared Gaither would secure its first playoff win since 2003. The Cowboys took a two-game lead over visiting Naples Gulf Coast in the 5A-3 quarterfinals, and momentum seemed to be on their side.

But then things began to change.

Gaither made uncharacteristic errors and Naples Gulf Coast (22-5) won the next two games to force a pivotal Game 5, which it won 15-5, eliminating Gaither from the playoffs. Gaither lost on scores of 25-21, 25-22, 10-25, 16-25, 5-15.

"(Naples Gulf Coast) was off the first two games and they put it together the last three," Gaither coach Tim Boylan said. "Momentum is huge in volleyball."

Down the stretch, the Cowboys (15-4) didn't have an answer for University of Tampa-bound senior outside hitter Holly Reschke, who finished with 20 kills.

Gaither senior Laura Ackart led her team with 33 kills and four aces, senior setter Emily Hussin had 47 assists and senior middle hitter Jenna Clark had 17 kills and seven blocks.

"(Ackart and Clark) gave us the most trouble," Naples Gulf Coast coach Christy Wright said.

Gaither will graduate nine seniors from its district championship team.

Nick Williams

Sickles falls

VENICE -- Venice made quick work of the District 9 runner-up, defeating Sickles 25-8, 25-9, 25-10 in 50 minutes.

The Indians (20-8) eliminated any suspense by scoring the first eight points of the night.

"I knew they were going to be a tough team," Sickles coach Rob Brashear said. "I knew they were going to be a good ball-control team."

Autumn Duyn (11 digs, 10 kills, 2 aces), Dorothy Rahal (11 digs), Emily Daniels (9 kills), Jillian Allen (8 kills, 1 block), Payton Herschberger (3 aces), setter Taylor Capasso (4 blocks) and Morgan Shattuck (3 digs, 2 blocks, 2 kills) led Venice.

"We executed and played loose," Indians coach Brian Wheatley said.

Sarasota Herald News

Class 3A-Region 3

TAMPA -- Berkeley Prep has a banner in its gym that lists all of its volleyball achievements. The banner is so full, there's only one spot left.

There are a lot of state runners-up and regional champions listed, but no state champions since 2002. Junior Natasha Rowland said the team wants to change that after the host Buccaneers routed McKeel 25-11, 25-7, 25-17 in the 3A-3 quarterfinals.

"This year is just about winning it all," Rowland said. "It's all about winning, and we aren't settling for anything else."

The Bucs were state runners-up last year and in three of the past four seasons. Coach Randy Dagostino said his team was on a mission this year to get over the hump.

When asked about the runners-up and state playoff logos on the gym banner, Dagostino said he is well aware of how the team has come up short in recent years.

"Yeah, we know all about it," Dagostino said. "This year, winning is our only goal."

The Bucs got off to a great start and were able to empty some of their bench during the easy win. Sophomore Katie O'Drovinak, who was only recently called up from junior varsity, was the surprise of the night with a team-high seven kills. Ginny Willis had 21 assists and Taylor Hayes had three aces.

Berkeley Prep rolled easily in the first two sets, but McKeel had the third set tied at 13 before the Bucs ripped off eight straight points behind the serve of freshman Jessica Silva. McKeel never threatened after that.

Jeff Berlinicke

Class 1A-Region 2

TAMPA -- Senior Valencia King and sophomore Madison Schmitt led Bayshore Christian to a 25-12, 25-20, 25-10 victory over Sonrise in the 1A-2 quarterfinals.

King played strong all night and didn't let much get past her. She had five kills in the first game and eight in each of the final two. Schmitt had five kills in the first game, seven in the second game and four in the third game, and scored the final point on kills in the first twp games.

Setter Amanda Mirabella set up her teammates throughout the match.

Bayshore fell behind 9-8 in the second game when Coach Melanie Humenansky called timeout to try to fire up her players. The Warriors responded, going on a 17-11 run and finishing strong.

Hanna Mirabella and Amanda Mirabella each had two aces late in the third game. King score the game-winning point on a kill.

Preston Bailey

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT