Light-hearted 'Canes prevail

By LARRY BUGG
Published October 6, 2005

INVERNESS - Krystal Boardman hit 21 service points and Ashley Hoglund hammered 10 kills, leading Citrus to a 25-11, 25-11, 25-22 victory over Ocala West Port on Wednesday night.

The 'Canes (9-6 overall, 6-5 Class 4A, District 6) seemed to enjoy themselves, perhaps a little too much near the end. In the final game, the 'Canes made 18 hitting errors, but still prevailed over West Port (4-11, 3-7).

Boardman, a senior setter, put smiles on 'Canes faces by hitting nine straight points, including two aces, in the first game. Hoglund added three kills.

Boardman had six points in the second game, with Hoglund contributing three kills. Boardman added six points in the final game, while Hoglund had four kills, including the decisive point.

Laughter and volleyball seem to work for the 'Canes.

"We are just having fun," Boardman said. "We knew we were not going to lose, so we were having fun. (Today) is senior night and we are going out with a bang." (Citrus faces Lecanto.)

"We switched around and had girls who are not normal hitters start hitting," Citrus coach Alice Christian said. "I still have a young team. They had a good time. They were actually very silly (Wednesday). I would rather they have fun than be miserable.

"Last year was a rough time for them. There are a lot of compliments from the staff on how happy the girls are. It makes a difference in the play."

BROOKSVILLE - Ileana Santos had 11 kills in the final game as host Nature Coast beat Springstead.

Nature Coast (9-10) won 20-25, 8-25, 25-16, 25-16, 15-8. The Sharks' Lauren Wajerski had 12 straight service points in the final game. Santos finished with 21 kills.

"They did a good job of coming back in the game," Sharks coach Maria Garcia said. "Randi Roppolo and Emily Brockhoff came in as reserves and made a difference."

Springstead (5-10) had excellent serving in the first two games. Katrina Cook had 11 service points and six aces in Game 1, in which Nature Coast made eight hitting errors. Hilary Fiocca had 12 straight service points with two aces in the second game.

"We dominated the first and second," Springstead coach Jessica Allnutt said. "We laid down in the third game. They quit."

[Last modified October 6, 2005, 01:14:18]