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EMILY NIPPSA new coach does wonders for team that's determined to get past quarterfinals for first time.
BROOKSVILLE - Central loved former coach Jim Jensen, who built the Bears' foundation and helped them get where they are today.
Yet they got the feeling there was something he was holding back, something he couldn't quite say or do when maybe he wanted the Bears to try harder.
"I think he was always afraid of saying something that would make us mad or make us cry," outside hitter Nikki Weaver said.
And their new coach, Vicki Weaver? "She couldn't care less," Nikki Weaver said.
A little tough love has done wonders for the Bears, who are 19-4 entering their fourth consecutive region quarterfinal. They never have made it past this point, but they swear this feels different.
For one, the coaching change has created an entirely different mood at practices and matches. During a recent workout, Vicki Weaver kept the girls moving on the court at all times, snapping out orders and shaking her head when they made a mistake in a drill.
"She doesn't let us get away with anything," said Nikki, who is Weaver's daughter. "It's done us some good, obviously."
They realize Weaver only wants the best for them, and they realized it even when she was an assistant and came down hard on them when Jensen didn't. "They knew what to expect," Weaver said. "I was at every practice, so I would just pull them off the court and yell at them individually."
The Bears, as a result, have toughened up themselves. They claim they have a new attitude, almost a sense of entitlement, compared to past seasons.
They won't be happy with just being in the region playoffs, and they'll be terribly disappointed if they don't show up against Tarpon Springs (10-2) tonight.
"We were all newbies last year," junior setter Noemi Rivera said. "We were just glad to make it to districts. We were like, "Yeah, districts!' The whole mind-set is different with everybody."
The Bears might have their strongest starting lineup in years, with senior outside hitter Erica Livengood leading the county with 200-plus kills and Nikki Weaver following. Rivera is among the area's most accurate passers, and few balls get past senior defensive specialist Gina DiBona. Out of 15 players, 10 were in club ball last year, which was a huge increase from the past few seasons.
None of the Bears want to look ahead to next year, when they lose Livengood, DiBona, middle blockers Sara Tooman and Heather Wooster and outside hitter Andrea Wolcott. Nor do they want to say this is it, their best chance for the next few seasons.
Vicki Weaver her players think this could be the year they make it deep into the postseason, and they're being realistic.
Weaver wouldn't have it any other way. They admitted they knew little about Tarpon Springs, but they're confident that playing their best will be enough to put the Spongers away.
If not, they face perhaps the most disappointing elimination they've had.
Or worse: Weaver standing at courtside, waiting for them and shaking her head.