Conquistadors confident heading into weekend tournament

NEW PORT RICHEY -- The host team enters the third annual Pasco-Hernando Community College Volleyball Invitational on a winning note.

The Conquistadors (13-3) defeated Pensacola CC, a team PHCC coach Sam Cibrone feels should be among the primary challengers for the state title, in last weekend's Florida Junior College at Jacksonville tournament. That win enabled PHCC to place third.

"Obviously, I would have liked to finish first or second, but Southwest Missouri (PHCC lost to the nation's third-ranked team in a preliminary round) was good."

In its longest match -- and most impressive comeback -- of the season, PHCC beat Pensacola CC 27-30, 30-21, 30-21, 37-35. In the last game, PHCC staved off elimination with six consecutive sideouts.

"That was a big 'W,' " Cibrone said.

PHCC defeated South Florida CC 30-15, 30-16, 30-20 in a Tuesday tuneup.

Like last year, Erin Stoen and Nicole Cattrysse lead PHCC in several categories, but Brandy Krieg (Ridgewood) also is making an impact.

The sophomore outside hitter has a team-high 146 kills, good for fifth in the nation. Krieg should easily surpass last season's 189 kills, third on the team.

"The experience of starting as a freshman really helped," Cibrone said. "Plus, she's a raw athlete."

Krieg also is second in two team categories. Her 16 aces trail Stoen's 32 and her 89 digs are behind Quinn Davidson's 148.

LIONS LOSE LEADER: Tony Rosso, leading scorer for the Saint Leo men's soccer team, has been shelved with a leg injury and will miss Friday's Sunshine State Conference opener.

The Lions (5-1-1) host Barry at 4 p.m.

Rosso, a sophomore forward who has six goals and leads the Lions with 13 points, scored twice in Saturday's 4-0 win over Alabama-Huntsville before leaving with a muscle strain.

With Rosso (East Lake) sidelined for Sunday's match in Jacksonville, Saint Leo defeated the University of North Florida 3-1 on goals by Geancarlo Secco, Federico Polo and Dane Fernandez (Gaither). Polo's goal was the deciding one, and Fernandez and Claus Hagedorn had assists.

Against Alabama-Huntsville, senior goalkeeper Charlie Long (Gulf) notched his third shutout. Secco and Gus Kalathakis (Ridgewood) added goals.

Fernandez, a junior defender who helped limit the opposition to eight shots in the past two games, was named SSC Defensive Player of the Week.

SSC OPENERS: The Saint Leo volleyball team begins conference play Friday, hosting Lynn at 7 p.m. The Lions (8-6) then host defending SSC and Division II national champion Barry at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Last Thursday, Saint Leo avoided falling to the .500 level with a 30-21, 30-15, 32-20 win over Clearwater Christian College. Sophomore middle hitter Alison Baker (Hudson) led the Lions with a .364 hitting percentage. She also had six kills, two behind Robbie Beach and Tina Florea. Beach had 11 digs and Florea 10 with freshman Laura Manovill (Dunedin) distributing 31 assists.

TWO MORE DOWN: The Saint Leo women's soccer team lost two SSC games last week: 2-0 to Barry, which has won 22 consecutive conference games, and 3-1 to Lynn. Sarah Wright (Clearwater) had the Lions' lone goal.

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