Brittany Castelamare's injury adds to River Ridge's woes that have depleted the roster.
By GREG AUMAN
Published September 3, 2003
For River Ridge, one Castelamare on the sideline is a good thing, but two, as the Knights likely will find out this season, isn't nearly as good.
Sophomore Brittany Castelamare, expected to help lead River Ridge in defending its district and Sunshine Athletic Conference titles, will miss the season as she recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.
Castelamare sustained the injury Aug. 27 during a preseason match, and an MRI exam showed a complete tear. She will have surgery Sept. 18 and face a rehabilitation period of four to six months.
"This is her sport, and she's very passionate about it. So this is hard for her," said Knights coach Heidi Castelamare, her mother. "She'll be there to support us and cheer us on, but I know she'll want to be out there with her teammates all season."
Brittany Castelamare could not be reached for comment.
The Knights already have endured a season's fill of injuries and illness, all before they took the court Tuesday for their season opener against Zephyrhills. They did so with six players dressed. In addition to Castelamare, junior Jackie Studebaker is out with mono and senior Carley Stevens was to be tested for it Tuesday.
The Knights get some depth back today, when sophomores Ashleigh Reams and Christina Townsend, who practiced with the varsity team during the summer, will be promoted from the junior varsity.
The two were skilled enough during preseason practice that Castelamare offered both the choice of playing as reserves with the varsity or as captains with the JV. They chose the latter but now are pressed into duty with the varsity. Reams eventually will step in as the team's second setter. But for now, the team will shift to a "5-1" system, using senior Alyssa Breviario as the only setter. Winning matches will be more of a challenge, especially Sept. 9 against rival Mitchell. But the first priority is keeping the remaining players healthy.
Breviario has two experienced hitters to work with in senior Krystal Dennis, who was slowed by mono last season, and junior Tricia Thomas. The two combined for 207 kills last year but could surpass that by themselves.
Castelamare said her team has time to regroup and adjust. While the injury is disappointing for her and her daughter, she said she is confident Brittany will return stronger next season, "just all the passion she has will go into two seasons instead of three."
The Knights have only four district matches this season, starting with Mitchell on Tuesday and Land O'Lakes on Sept. 16. The district tournament, at River Ridge, is eight weeks away, and Castelamare said her daughter's injury won't end her team's high hopes.
"They have the belief that we can still be one of the top teams in this county. I do, too," she said. "They just have to work harder and play harder now."
