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NEW PORT RICHEY - River Ridge won two of three meetings with Mitchell last season, including the district championship match.
But as her team prepares for tonight's contest against the Mustangs, Royal Knights coach Heidi Castelamare hasn't forgotten the regular-season loss that dropped her team into a tie with Mitchell and Hudson for the Sunshine Athletic Conference crown.
"They beat us last year the second time we played them," she said. "It's always wishy-washy if you're the top team if you lose to them, where if you beat somebody three times you know you're pretty solid and there's no question about it."
River Ridge (12-0 overall, 5-0 district) has the upper hand this season thanks to a five-game victory in its opening match. A win tonight would give the Knights the top seed for the Class 5A, District 5 tournament. A loss wouldn't ruin their chances because overall winning percentage is the third tiebreaker after district record and head-to-head results.
For Mitchell (9-4, 4-1), the match represents a chance to improve a 1-9 mark against River Ridge, which edged the Mustangs for the past two district titles, once by a single point.
"It means a lot to us," Mitchell coach Joe Dixon said. "It means as much as the conference and the district, I know that."
River Ridge's experience won out in the first meeting, as Mitchell's sophomore-laden lineup ran out of gas halfway through the fourth game, Dixon said. Though the rosters remain the same, Dixon said his team has improved its poise and stamina.
"There will be some good volleyball both ways," he said. "We know they'll bring their best game, both teams, and it'll be lots of fun."
THE ROAD BACK: Ridgewood (7-9) has turned things around since inexperience contributed to an 0-3 start. The Rams improved their communication and trust, most notably while placing second in the Hudson Invitational.
Junior middle hitter Caitlin Morrison, who had 21 kills and only four errors on 35 passing attempts in a victory over Wesley Chapel on Tuesday, has been the catalyst. Christina Wood and Jessica Birchmeier have provided consistent setting.
COINCIDENTALLY ... : Land O'Lakes' Staci Elias will face the coach who started the Goodland (Kan.) program where Elias played in the late '80s when the Gators play at the Clermont East Ridge Invitational this weekend. Elias played under Jerry McKee, who assisted East Ridge coach Mary McCann at Goodland before taking over the perennial state playoff qualifier.
NEARLY THERE: Hudson (14-0) entered Wednesday with a chance to accomplish two of its goals in eight days. The Cobras could wrap up the top seed for the 4A-10 tourney with a victory over Tarpon Springs Wednesday and earn the conference title with a win over River Ridge on Oct. 13.
ON THE RISE: Pasco reeled off four consecutive victories before falling to River Ridge on Tuesday, improving from 2-9 to 6-9. Pasco (5-2 district) needs only a win over Nature Coast Tech tonight to clinch the No. 2 seed for the 3A-6 tourney.
AROUND THE COUNTY: Wesley Chapel's Sami Polston set a school record with 18 kills in Tuesday's loss to Ridgewood. The mark of 17 was shared by Jamie Freund and Lauren Valdez. ... Land O'Lakes freshman Kayli Keough was named to the all-tournament team at the Hudson Invitational.