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Hudson proves to be no pushover

WESLEY CHAPEL -- Hudson and Wesley Chapel entered Thursday's match with similar records but opposite perspectives on their success.

The Wildcats had cruised undefeated through a relatively tame Class 3A district, while Hudson had struggled to a 6-6 mark in a tough Class 4A district. Going head-to-head with third place in the Sunshine Athletic Conference standings on the line, the Cobras made quick work of the Wildcats 15-8, 15-7.

"Everybody did a lot where if one kid's having a bad night, two others pick up the slack," Hudson coach Linda McQuade said. "Every day these kids are getting better."

The Cobras (14-6) got a dominating performance from senior Tarah Marinelli, who finished with 11 kills and three of her team's four service winners. Jessica Borrello added four kills and Lauren Bislick had three.

"We played as a unit tonight, as one team instead six people. That's what we've needed for a while," Bislick said. "We've had a lot of people who had to grow into their roles, and I think we're all doing what we need to do."

Wesley Chapel, which got eight kills from Angela Medvid and five from Brenna Lane, struggled with seven service errors in 40 attempts. Two days earlier, the Wildcats misfired just twice in a two-game victory against Ridgewood.

"They played well, but they just didn't serve," Wildcats coach Julie Marks said. "You can't get points if you don't serve. That's all there is to it."

The Wildcats (14-4) led 7-6 in the first game, but Bislick's first kill gave the Cobras a sideout, and she followed with four points on her serve. Sophomore Courtney Law closed out the game with a service winner.

Wesley Chapel opened strong again, leading 5-2 in the second game, before Hudson ran off 11 unanswered points, five coming on the serve of Marinelli, whose final kill closed out the match.

Both teams will compete tonight and Saturday in a 16-team tournament hosted by Lake Gibson High in Lakeland.

Next week brings district tournaments, with Hudson opening play Monday in the Class 4A, District 8 tournament at Tarpon Springs against Ridgewood and the Wildcats hosting the Class 3A, District 10 tournament, which starts Tuesday.

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