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

Knights take care of Cobras in two games

River Ridge rallies from a 10-1 deficit in the second game to sweep Hudson 15-7, 16-14.

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 25, 2002

HUDSON -- It could have been about avenging a loss to Hudson in last year's district final, but not so for River Ridge. The only unfinished business these Royal Knights have is the season ahead.

"Who cares? That was last year," Knights coach Heidi Castelamare said after her team's 15-7, 16-14 victory Tuesday. "I have a whole new group of kids with only four girls coming back. I know we're stronger, player for player."

River Ridge (10-1, 5-1 Class 4A, District 8) looked worthy of its No. 9 state ranking, led by outside hitter Dawn Conner. The senior opened with three service winners and earned the final two points of both games on back-to-back kills, finishing with a match-high 11.

Hudson (5-2, 3-2) showed a spark in the second game, taking a 4-0 lead before the Knights could return one of sophomore Jenna Strawser's serves. Hudson led 10-1 when Conner led the Knights back with three kills and two service winners on the way to tying the game at 12.

Hudson had three game points at 14-12 but couldn't convert, losing the last opportunity on its fifth service error of the match. The Cobras had six match points during their only other loss, in the season opener against Mitchell, and coach Linda McQuade said one of her team's biggest obstacles is getting that final point.

"The kids have to fix it. It's up to them to gear their minds in the right direction," McQuade said. "No doubt, it's a psychological thing. I wouldn't say it's frustrating, but it's something we need to work on."

Hudson got three kills and three blocks from senior Lauren Bislick but struggled with mistakes.

River Ridge's first three sideouts came on Hudson service errors, and two of River Ridge's final six points came when a ball dropped between two Cobras who collided going after a pass.

Halfway through district play, River Ridge has a share of the 4A-8 lead. With a victory tonight against Zephyrhills, the Knights can clinch the Sunshine Athletic Conference regular-season title.

Hudson plays at Mitchell on Thursday in a key district match.

© 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