Pirates stay atop rival Panthers

By RICHARD BURTON
Published September 13, 2005

CRYSTAL RIVER - After getting by Lecanto in five games earlier this season, Crystal River had its way with the Panthers on Monday in a Class 4A, District 6 match.

The Pirates (7-0, 6-0) got 14 service points and nine kills from Brandy Worlton in 25-20, 25-12, 25-16 win over Lecanto (3-6, 3-4).

Worlton and Meghan Hirsch (eight kills and eight assists) were dominant at the net and setter Ashley Clark (21 assists) made things even easier.

"(Clark) hustles so hard," said Worlton, who missed the first meeting. "I don't know what I'd do without her."

Clark, who had a season-high 26 assists in the other meeting, had at least six in each game on Monday. She had seven assists in the first game and Worlton had four kills as the Pirates ran out to a 20-10 lead. From there, Clark's eight assists in the second game enabled the Pirates to jump out to a 15-5 lead.

The Panthers had several key errors which, coupled with Crystal River's size edge at the net made things difficult.

Crystal River finished with a 19-4 advantage in kills over the last two games.

"We can't constantly hit the ball into the middle and let them set up their offense," Lecanto coach Freddie Bullock said.

Heather Stack added 15 service points and four aces for Crystal River. Michi Arguedas led Lecanto with five service points and four assists.

Mustangs earn SAC victory

TRINITY - Mitchell, behind sophomore Lea Weber, fought off visiting Gulf to earn a 25-16, 25-16, 24-26, 25-17 Sunshine Athletic Conference win Weber finished the first two games with service runs of eight and four points, respectively, and had 23 total service points. She also had eight aces and added 36 assists.

"I can always count on (Lea) to go back there and do well," Mustangs coach Keith Paulk said. "She has an incredibly high service percentage, and she puts the ball exactly where I want it."

After the first two games, Gulf did not roll over, taking Game 3. The Buccaneers led 17-12, 21-15, and 24-17, but allowed Mitchell (6-2), behind the serving of Weber, to tie at 24. Following a sideout and Mustang miscue, however, the Bucs (4-4) forced a fourth game.

Gulf was led by setter Jasmina Vuksanovic, who had 11 service points, two aces, five kills, and 20 assists. Zephyrhills transfer Santana Lennon added eight service points and eight kills.

Co-captain Kelli Wiedinger led the Mustangs with 15 kills, and Heather Zappacosta added 13.

-MIKE TOMPKINS, Times correspondent

SPRING HILL - Dana Perreira hit 13 service points to lead Central (3-2) over Springstead (1-5) 25-15, 25-21, 25-15 at the Eagles' gym.

"We did really well in the first game, playing real smoothly," Central coach Vicki Weaver said. "We changed our rotation in the second game to give some experience to (Kathy Falkowski). Springstead came (on) in the second game because of that."

"If our girls could come to have fun with the sport, they could actually win," Springstead coach Jessica Allnutt said. "They have the individual skills."

-LARRY BUGG, Times correspondent

[Last modified September 13, 2005, 01:46:17]