Marauders eager to take out Bucs

By BRANDON WRIGHT
Published September 26, 2006

CLEARWATER - Clearwater Central Catholic coach Jennifer Dull knows all about Berkeley Prep's multiple championships and rich tradition. She's well aware of the Buccaneers' place in state volleyball history and knows her team "has a healthy respect" for Berkeley Prep.

But make no mistake; Dull believes CCC can topple the Bucs when the teams meet tonight in a key Class 3A, District 11 match in the Marauders' gym.

"Berkeley is a great team and there's a reason they have won as many state titles as they have," Dull said. "But if our team is firing on all cylinders, we can play with anybody."

Such confidence arises from the Marauders' 13-3 start. CCC has beaten East Lake twice, in the regular season and preseason and took down district rival and state-ranked Academy of the Holy Names. But a win against Berkeley Prep (10-3) would stamp a CCC imprint on the area volleyball scene.

"They're a great team and a great program," senior setter Katie Ignac said. "We have nothing but respect for them, but this is the best team I've been on since I've been here and we're all excited about the match."

A CCC win also would create a three-way tie in the district standings, but give the Marauders an edge with wins against AHN and Berkeley Prep.

"People around school have been talking about (Tuesday's) match," Ignac said. "We've had great support from everyone."

Ignac, who has been a starter since her freshman year, is part of CCC's two-headed setting monster along with fellow senior Paola Annoni. Few teams in the area use the dual-setting formation, but for the Marauders it is a perfect fit.

"It allows us to be more offensive minded because we can always keep three hitters up front," Dull said. "Paola and Katie have been playing together so well and they're a perfect complement to each other."

Ignac is more of an in-your-face leader who is not afraid to make her opinion known.

"She's not shy about telling our hitters, 'We need a kill right now,' " Dull said.

Annoni is a bit more cerebral in her approach, but equally as effective.

"Paola is just a true motivator," Dull said. "She's a dynamic leader who works so well with the different personalities on our team."

Both setters are extremely accurate and have multiple options, including middle hitter Jessica Scharf and athletic outside hitter Lizzy Ignac, Katie's sister.

"I'm not just saying this because she's my sister, but Lizzy is just a great player," Katie Ignac said. "There's a definite comfort factor when we're both on the court."

There are three sets of sisters on CCC's roster. Annoni's sister Vanessa is a defensive specialist while Natalie and Christy Mahy make the up the third set. Dull said team cohesion is the Marauders' strong suit.

"I've never seen a team like this because all the girls like each other - and that's very rare," she said. "It's a unique situation."

Brandon Wright can be reached at bwright@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2216.

[Last modified September 26, 2006, 06:21:22]