Bayshore has new players, similar success

Minus four all-staters from last year, the Faith Warriors still look like a state title contender.

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published October 13, 2005

TAMPA - Opponents looked at Bayshore Christian differently at the start of the season.

"I think people underestimated us," outside hitter Adria Mullaney said.

It's easy to see why.

The Faith Warriors didn't lose just one all-state performer from last year's Class A state championship squad, or even two or three, but four. What's left, however, isn't exactly a ragtag operation. And though this might be a year of transition, it's not one of turmoil.

"There are no individual superstars," coach Melanie Humenansky said. "This is truly a team. We don't walk into the gym and intimidate anyone because of our size. But if last year's team played this year's team, it would be a fairly even match."

That's saying a lot.

A year ago, Bayshore Christian went 24-5 and claimed its second straight state title. Entering next week's district tournament, it is 16-5 against a difficult schedule that included several larger schools and once again looks like a title contender.

Few could have predicted this.

In 2004, outside hitter Stevi Cherry, setter Mandy Stokes and middle blocker Sarah Weiler, among the county's top players, were seniors. And in the spring, Humenansky learned middle blocker Christine Williamson, one of the area's most promising young players and another all-state performer, was leaving for Plant.

That left the 2005 squad with two returning starters and a boatload of questions.

"I was a little concerned," Humenansky said.

She wasn't, however, worried.

Returning players such as Mullaney, the team's other all-state player last season, and libero Courtney Weisman gave Bayshore Christian a solid foundation. And in first-year starters Jannica Mollett, a middle hitter, and Ashley Ballengee, a setter, the Faith Warriors had two talented sophomores.

"At first, a lot of the younger players were nervous," said Mullaney, a junior. "They were scared to mess up. But I think we all had faith in each other."

Mollett and Ballengee weren't exactly rookies. Both were on the squad last fall, but because playing time was hard to come by, each saw significant action with the junior varsity.

"At state, Stevi cried because she wanted it so bad, and I had never seen her cry," Mollett said. "It makes you want it more. We had big shoes to fill, but everybody has been real supportive. There's a lot of pressure, but we can handle it."

Thus far, they have.

And few are taking Bayshore Christian lightly these days.

[Last modified October 13, 2005, 01:11:19]