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LAURA LEEBy instilling discipline and a work ethic into her players, Monica Wilson has taken Tarpon Springs to region quarterfinal.
TARPON SPRINGS - Courtney Wallace learned first.
The Tarpon Springs shortstop got the message in March that she would get no special treatment because she's a four-year starter or because she got a scholarship to play softball in college.
Coach Monica Wilson's rules applied to her, too.
In March, Wallace missed a practice and had to sit out until the final inning of the following game, when Wilson let her pinch run.
"I was a little mad, but I understand now," Wallace said. "She has these rules. She kept her word."
In her first year as Spongers coach, Wilson has guided them to their second region quarterfinal today at Clermont East Ridge. And perhaps her discipline and work ethic will help them advance to their first region semifinal.
Tarpon Springs players will tell you things got a lot harder this season when Wilson replaced Craig Drake, who was "really, really laid back," said senior pitcher Dana Aldrich. Instead of coming to practice and hanging out, they are constantly moving, engaged in some drill. They run, something they didn't do often, and stretch, also a new trick.
"Last year we came to practice and sat around," sophomore catcher Melissa Mennone said.
"This year, after I'm done with practice, I'm beat," team captain Carly Donovan said.
Wilson, who spent last spring as an assistant track coach and has coached volleyball for seven years, said it took a while for the girls to get used to her style. Some of the players knew her from volleyball, but she said overall, there was a lot of work to do.
Not that she didn't inherit a good team. Tarpon finished 11-9 last season, but this year was about changing attitudes.
"There were lots of habits we needed to break from the last couple of years," Wilson said. "They know I expect them to be out here five days a week. There's no such thing as an off day. That's been a big adjustment."
Now things are coming together. Halfway through the season, the Spongers voted Donovan, a sophomore, team captain. Although they're .500, Wilson said they never have played a game they didn't feel they could win. The players, if at first reluctant, are beginning to understand, and just at the right time.
On Tuesday, the school marquee wished the baseball team good luck in districts and congratulated state track qualifiers, but it said nothing about the softball team heading to the region tournament.
It's okay. Wilson didn't bring attention to the team by making a school-wide announcement about their finish as district runnerup, Tarpon Springs' second.
"I want them to earn what they get," Wilson said.