PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Senior Sarah Kirkwood, previously also an accomplished swimmer, led Plant to its third consecutive state title.
By EMILY NIPPS
Published December 22, 2003
One of the best all-around prep female athletes to come out of Florida, Plant senior outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood has boldly made her mark.
The most well-known feat of her high school career was leading the Panthers to a state title and finishing second in the 50-yard freestyle at the state swimming meet in the same season. She was a sophomore at the time.
Hard to top that, but she did. She would have been hugely disappointed if she hadn't.
During her junior season, she dropped swimming to focus on volleyball, knowing she would have her pick of Division I-A colleges. She quickly developed as, arguably, the best player in the state and shared Times All-Suncoast Player of the Year honors with her sister, Emily, a setter. She will join Emily at Virginia next fall.
During her senior season, the nearly 6-foot All-American led the Panthers to their third consecutive state title. Kirkwood, who scored 1,470 on the SAT (with a perfect math score), recently was named one of the nation's top 10 seniors by prepvolleyball.com.
She calls herself an "innerly competitive person," but her drive has been apparent to everyone she has competed with or against. Despite playing at such a competitive level year-round, she has managed a tough class schedule that includes five Advanced Placement classes.
She could have slacked off a bit. She could have at least allowed herself the first B on her report card, for heaven's sake.
"I'm not the type of person to let my grades slip, even though I'm already signed with a college," said Kirkwood, who recently turned 18. "I just try to think of new motivation. Like if I do well now, my college schedule will be easier."
Kirkwood finished with 428 kills, 51 ace blocks, 114 ace serves and 187 digs. She might be among the brightest scholar-athletes in the state.
Hard to top that, but she will. She will be disappointed with anything less.
ALL-SUNCOAST VOLLEYBALL TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
EDEN RAMOS: Senior Setter Berkeley Prep
A three-year starter, Ramos has been the backbone of Berkeley's Prep's offense long enough to lead it to two state finals (2002 and 2003) and a title in 2003. She set a school record with 842 assists - no small task at a school that has produced 12 state titles and several of the state's top setters. Ramos was voted the Class 2A Player of the Year and has signed with North Carolina-Charlotte.
JESS THOMAS: Junior Outside Hitter Tampa Prep
As a sophomore, Thomas was known as one of the most talented up-and-comers in the area. As a junior, she was feared as one of the most talented outside hitters in the state. As a senior, the athletic 6-footer led one of Class 2A's top teams, which might have reached the state final if Berkeley Prep had not been in the way. Thomas finished with 414 kills and 365 digs. STEVI CHERRY: Junior Outside Hitter Bayshore Chr.
Her loud, powerful kills don't match her calm, cool demeanor, and her play speaks for itself. Cherry is a true competitor, a huge boost to the Faith Warriors and likely will be a leader next year. Cherry's leaping ability makes up for a relatively small stature (5 feet 9), and her aggressive attacks can be downright scary. The Class A Player of the Year finished with 405 kills.
CLAIRE CRUMPTON: Senior Middle Blocker Plant
With her extraordinary ability to jump high and hang for what seems like seconds, the 6-footer's presence at the net was intimidating enough. Crumpton's 100 blocks and one of the highest kill efficiency percentages on the team gave the Panthers one more weapon to help lead them to a state title. She will join fellow All-Suncoast first-teamer Eden Ramos at North Carolina-Charlotte next year.
KATELEN DIXON: Senior Outside Hitter Mitchell
Dixon closed her high school career by fulfilling the promise she showed as a freshman, when she and her sister, Erin, helped Countryside reach the state semifinals. She led Pasco County in kills for the third year in a row, guiding the Mustangs to their second straight region semifinal and, for the first time, a share of the Sunshine Athletic Conference crown. She finished with 1,061 career kills and will play for the University of Tampa next year.
Stolbach, an All-Suncoast first-teamer last year, established herself as one of the most consistent, talented players in the state. As Berkeley Prep's co-captain (with Eden Ramos), she was one of the biggest factors in the Buccaneers' state championship this season. Stolbach, who will play for Northwestern next year, finished with 350 kills, 221 digs and 76 aces.
