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Volleyball: Gaither rallies past Sickles for 5A-9 title

Staff photo by CHRIS URSO

Gaither players celebrate their district title after beating Sickles Thursday.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 30, 2009

TAMPA - It certainly wasn't easy, but the Gaither volleyball team found a way to win its first district title since 2003.

The Cowboys rallied to win the final two games in the Class 5A-District 9 title match against Sickles to take a 25-18, 25-27, 17-25, 25-18, 15-10 victory.

"It started out really good, got a little rough in the middle, but we were able to suck it up and come back and finish it off," Gaither coach Tim Boylan said. "They've been playing that way all year, where they hit little low points in the game and they're always able to come back for the victory. It will be great hosting the next round (of the playoffs). That's a big benefit."

A big reason the Cowboys (18-3) were able to win was the play of senior Jenna Clark. Clark had a team-high 20 kills and seemed to provide big plays when Gaither needed them most. Fellow senior Laura Ackart had four of her 10 kills in Game 5 and accounted for three of the Cowboys' final five points, including the match winner.

"They really picked it up at the end there," Boylan said of his two seniors. "That was critical."

Senior Lauren Ramsey led Sickles (20-5) with 20 kills.

Adam Adkins

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