Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Fast start lifts Crystal River

CRYSTAL RIVER -- Crystal River coach Trudee Lightbody has been preaching to her team about starting strong. She couldn't have asked for more Tuesday as it blanked Hernando in the first game en route to a 15-0, 15-11 victory. A sluggish beginning was a factor when the Pirates (5-4) fell to the Leopards (7-2) in two close games two weeks ago. This time, Hernando had trouble getting ready to play.

"They didn't even look like the same team. They played a lot better at their own gym," Lightbody said.

"I was surprised. I thought we were going to have a good game."

Leopards coach Dena Frye, who played at Hernando and Pasco-Hernando Community College, said she had never been shut out in a game until Tuesday. With the Pirates up 3-0, senior Lisandra Vazquez stepped to the service line and reeled off 12 consecutive points. Vazquez sealed the game with her fifth ace. "My shoulder hurts, and I wasn't serving as hard. So I was surprised," said Vazquez, who did not serve during Monday's practice. "I was trying to place them where I saw holes."

Pirates sophomore Amber Clark had four of her five kills during the first game. "(Clark) often starts her approach for a spike too early," Lightbody said. "But when she is patient and waits for the ball, she is a threat at the net. She's coming along real well for her age."

The second game was tied at 8 when Crystal River scored the next six points. The Pirates needed four match points before Jennifer MacRae ended the match with a kill out of the middle.

The 6-foot-1 junior finished with six kills and three aces, and sophomore Ja'Vonna Grimsley contributed three kills.

"We knew we had to play our best because they did beat us and expected to win," said Pirates senior setter Alisa Tisdale, who had a match-high 10 assists.

Hernando's Cristi Brown had two kills and Whitney Griffin had a kill, a block and an ace.

Frye was disappointed with her team's effort.

"We looked like a middle school team. I don't know what the problem was," Frye said. "They'll be practicing before (tonight's match against Pasco)."

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright