CCC's veteran core leads determined bonding effort

Marauders' five returning starters fuse with younger players through camps, drills.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published August 15, 2006

	[Times photo: Carrie Pratt]
	Senior Katie Ignac is among the five returning starters for Clearwater Central Catholic who have spearheaded a determined effort to unseat their nemesis, Berkeley Prep.

CLEARWATER - When Clearwater Central Catholic coach Jen Dull asked her players what their goals were, the answers were unanimous.

No question, the goal is to compete with Berkeley Prep - and win.

"We think we have more than a chance," Dull said.

On paper, anyway, things have lined up nicely for Clearwater Central Catholic. Not only do the Marauders have a lot of experience (five of six starters returning), but they also have an influx of talented freshmen who should provide much-needed depth.

Better still, CCC no longer has to deal with Berkeley Prep's Janet Okagbaa, who graduated.

"Having Janet move on is a big deal," Marauder senior Katie Ignac said. "She was a very good volleyball player."

How good? Last season, Okagbaa, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter, won the state player of the year award and helped the Buccaneers advance to their 15th state final, where they lost in three games to Lake Highland Prep.

Okagbaa went to Stanford after being the only high school player on the U.S. team that competed in the FIVB Under-20 World Championships in Ankara, Turkey.

Though Okagbaa was an intimidating presence, CCC stayed with Berkeley Prep last season, taking them to five games during the regular season and four in the Class 3A, District 7 final.

"Playing well last season gives us so much confidence," Marauder senior Paola Annoni said.

CCC's season ended with a four-game loss to No. 1-ranked Fort Myers Bishop Verot in the regional quarterfinals.

After that match, the five returning starters took solace in knowing they had a future together.

During the spring and summer, the remaining starters wedded the others to their sense of purpose. Nearly every player was on a club team and did extra work with drills.

"These girls have really learned to play together," Dull said.

To prove the Marauders' whole was greater than the sum of their parts, the players preached togetherness and vowed to remain united even off the court.

At a University of Florida camp, the CCC girls roomed with each other and played on the same team.

"That was something new, and it helped us get to know each other better and develop some chemistry," Ignac said.

It wasn't too difficult to find more cause for optimism during the preseason tournament last week.

The Marauders beat playoff teams River Ridge in four games and East Lake in five.

"(CCC) has a strong team with tons of depth," East Lake Eagles coach Terry Small said.

Now the Marauders are ready for their next challenge. They face the Buccaneers in a quad meet on Aug. 31 and again on Sept. 26.

"(Berkeley Prep) is a good team, and they play all-out," Ignac said. "But we're very determined.

[Last modified August 15, 2006, 01:34:13]