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Burgess sparks Berkeley past Tampa Prep

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By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 23, 2009

TAMPA - Sophomore outside hitter Jordan Burgess' all-around performance Tuesday night led Berkeley Prep to a 3-0 sweep of Tampa Prep in the most historic volleyball rivalry in the area.

Burgess had 10 kills, 13 digs, three aces and eight service points as the Buccaneers, ranked ninth nationally, won 25-12, 26-24, 25-17. Berkeley Prep (8-2) hasn't lost to Tampa Prep (2-2) since 2004.

"We got a lot of people involved and I think our setters set the ball very well," Berkeley coach Randy Dagostino said. "Tampa Prep is a very athletic team. They were lights out in Game 2."

Tampa Prep led the majority of Game 2, jumping to a 17-13 lead before Berkeley's 5-1 run tied the game at 18. Two lead changes and three ties later, the Bucs captured the game on a net error by the host Terrapins.

"We got in quite a funk (in Game 2)," Burgess said. "We got out of it because we decided to play together. We didn't want a loss on our record."

"It was big time for them to have that player that can say, 'Give me the ball,'" Tampa Prep coach Mike Flynn said. "Lindsay Young had that big kill in Zone 1. Lindsay, in Game 2, was the heartbreaker."

Berkeley sophomore setter/opposite hitter Mackenzie Dagostino finished with six aces, 18 assists and 10 service points. Junior defensive specialist Natasha Rowland led Berkeley with 15 digs.

"We did not scrap for it," Flynn said. "We did not perform well as a team."

With only two seniors on the team, Burgess said it was important for Berkeley to handle the level of crowd noise.

"I don't think you can ever get used to the crowd," Burgess said. "We just try to get our minds focused on the game."

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 259-7851.

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