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Young teams renew an old rivalry

Berkeley Prep bests Tampa Prep in three games in a best-of-five match.

By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 25, 2002

TAMPA -- Berkeley Prep and Tampa Prep are in an awkward, in-between stage. Last season's senior stars have grown up and moved on, leaving big shoes to fill.

The hottest (and oldest) rivalry in town, maybe in Florida, has cooled down this year. The crowd, although rowdy as ever, barely filled Berkeley Prep's stands after spilling onto the sidelines last year. The noise was kept to a respectable level. And the players ... who are they?

Meet the new Buccaneers and Terrapins.

Berkeley Prep (14-1) beat Tampa Prep (8-2) in three games -- 16-14, 15-9, 15-8 -- in a best-of-five match Tuesday night, but no one was asking for their money back. Armed with mostly freshmen and sophomores, the teams battled as if they had been doing it for years, dotting the action with shattering kills, tricky tips and in-your-face blocks.

"The seniors (from last season) are irreplaceable," said Berkeley Prep junior Cally Stolbach, one of the Bucs' few returning starters. "That's part of life, I guess. New beginnings."

Beginnings that Berkeley Prep coach Randy Dagostino and Tampa Prep coach Paul McAdoo seem thrilled to be a part of.

"I saw a lot of positive things out there," McAdoo said. "From that perspective, I was happy.

Dagostino called Janet Okogbaa and Jessica Glover "lights-out, the two best freshmen I've ever coached." And he was dazzled by the strategic plays set up by junior Eden Ramos.

Ramos had 24 assists and was responsible for keeping the young and, at times, nervous players from falling apart. Okogbaa, 6-foot-3 and growing, reeled off 11 kills. Glover had seven kills and four digs.

Tampa Prep kept the Bucs hopping in the first game, starting with a three-point lead and tying it at 14. Then Bucs senior Susanna Leffers (five aces) and Stolbach took control with a pair of kills, and a Tampa Prep miscue ended the first game.

Six-foot sophomore Jess Thomas was the Terrapins' biggest weapon, pounding 10 kills. Lone senior Kelly Phillips led the attacks in Tampa Prep's strong first game.

Sophomore Lauren Miles defended with 14 digs.

The Terps and the Bucs are far from polished, according to both coaches' standards. But there is hope.

Dagostino said youthful jitters were obvious on both sides of the net but district competition brought out the best in both teams.

"I think it's going to be a nice little rivalry for the next three or four years," he said.

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