Bayshore has talent to make run

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published October 25, 2005

After winning back-to-back state titles, does Bayshore Christian have the talent to win another Class A championship?

"Yes," coach Melanie Humenansky said. "We have leadership and some of the girls have the experience of the titles. That gives me a good foundation on which to build."

The Faith Warriors (22-5) have succeeded despite losing four all-state players from the 2004 team. A big key to their success has been the play of outside hitter Adria Mullaney , also a standout last season.

"She had to show incredible leadership on the court and she has," Humenansky said. "She has stepped up in all areas."

Bayshore Christian, which plays Sarasota Out-of-Door in the first round of the playoffs Wednesday, is unbeaten against Class A teams.

TALENT SHOW: Berkeley Prep's 18-9 record isn't overwhelming. Its talent can be.

After having played a schedule that arguably was Florida's most difficult, the Bucs, who open with Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, are playing as well as they have at any point in the season and appear poised to make a deep playoff run.

"I think we're ready, but we do have some tough matches ahead," longtime Berkeley Prep coach Randy Dagostino said.

Middle blockers Janet Okogbaa and Courtney Cohen give the Bucs a strong inside presence. Outside hitter Jess Glover and setter Kate Parker also are all-state caliber players. If the Bucs have a concern, it's their passing, which has been relatively inconsistent.

"In the nine matches we've lost, in every single one the reason we lost is because of our first ball contact," Dagostino said. "Either we're going to all be on one day and click or it will be something that does us in."

BIG PUSH: Plant coach Leanna Taylor doesn't have to push her team.

The Panthers do it themselves.

"I can't hold them back," Taylor said. "They just love being in the gym."

It shows.

The Panthers (25-1) enter the playoffs with the county's best record. They reached the final four each of the previous four seasons, winning state titles from 2001 to '03. Much has been made of Plant's strong class of ninth graders, but Taylor says juniors Jennifer Chamblee , Kaley Read , Allison Sharp and Christine Williamson have been crucial to the squad's success.

[Last modified October 25, 2005, 03:00:29]