Sports

Volleyball preview

By JOE SMITH, Times Staff Writer
Published August 22, 2007

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TAMPA - Plant sophomore Ali McCurdy has a mean set of feet.

Blink, and you might miss them.

"They're like nothing I've ever seen in high school," Plant coach Leanna Taylor said. "Sometimes she moves them so fast, I can't even see them."

Maybe it was the years McCurdy spent tip-toeing the beam in gymnastics. Or maybe it was a lifetime of trying to keep up with her three athletic big brothers, one of whom has some pretty fleet feet of his own.

Two of McCurdy's brothers - Ryan, 19, (Duke) and Chris, 21, (UNC's club team) - play baseball in college. Her other brother is Raiders wide receiver Mike Williams, whom the McCurdy family adopted during his junior season at Plant.

McCurdy was a bridesmaid at Williams' wedding in July on St. Pete Beach. Ryan and Chris were groomsmen.

"Mike has always been protective (of me)," McCurdy said with a grin. "You know, that older brother protection kind of thing."

As one of the county's top liberos, McCurdy scrappily protects the Panthers' side of the court, often diving and digging for balls down the line. She played a huge role on last year's Class 5A state championship team.

The Panthers graduated four seniors who will play in college - including Times' player of the year Christine Williamson. And while still armed with a couple of the county's top outside hitters, Plant's plan to repeat may partly depend on McCurdy's two feet.

Chattin' with Christine

Former Plant star Christine Williamson, the 2006 Times' player of the year, phoned in from the University of Miami to give five things you should know about Plant:

- Kellie Catanach, a star setter committed to Duke, is the team's only senior (and "team mom").

- Danielle Erb, above, a junior outside hitter, loves to dance. She spent several years in jazz and ballet classes.

- Cameron Hill, a junior defensive specialist, makes a great chocolate cake. She baked Williamson one as a going-away gift.

- Ariel Ley, a junior right-side hitter, plays the violin. She missed all of last year, undergoing surgery to repair a stress fracture in her foot.

- The Panthers middle is far from bare; they picked up two transfers in middle hitters Jordan Dickie (Berkeley Prep) Alexis Monteleone (Holy Names).

Rising star to watch

Tampa Prep junior Alena Ransom. An outside hitter who played a big role as underclassman last season.

Top 5 returning hitters
(in no particular order)

Maddie Martin
So., Plant
One of the more physical players in the state, Martin has, as one opposing coach said, potential "with no ceiling."

Maureen Colligan
Sr., AHN
Colligan, above, can beat you from all sides.

Sarah Vance
Sr., Sickles
A lefty who brings plenty of heat; one of the fastest set of hands in the area.

Lindsay Young
So., Berkeley Prep
A second-team all-county selection as a freshman, Young teams up with fellow sophomore Alex Dickerson for a potent attack.

Danielle Erb
Jr., Plant
The 6-foot explosive hitter combines with Martin for arguably the fiercest hitting tandem in town.

'Sleeper' teams

Holy Names: Can Colligan & Co. usurp perennial power Berkeley?

Bloomingdale: Made an impressive run to Class 5A region finals last year. Can they repeat the feat?

Did you know?

Chamberlain could start anywhere from three to four multisport stars; junior setter Marissa Menendez, for example, has verbally committed to play softball for USF.

Must-see matches

Berkeley Prep at Tampa Prep
Sept. 11
Perennially one of the top volleyball rivalries should be tight once again. The two schools play again Oct. 16 at Berkeley.

Plant at Clearwater
Oct. 15 (7 p.m.)
A rematch of last year's region finals should pit two of the bay area's top teams.

Berkeley Premier Tournament
Sept. 28-29 at University of Tampa
The tournament boasts the best teams in the southeast.

Tampa Bay Invitational
Oct. 5-6 at UT and Tampa Prep
The area's best, including Plant, Berkeley Prep and TP, mix with stellar squads from Louisiana.

Postseason

- District tournaments held Oct. 22-26
- Regions on Oct. 30-Nov. 10
- FHSAA finals Nov. 14-17 at the Lakeland Center.

Format: Champion and runnerup from each district advance to region tournament. Champion from each region advances to state.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or at (813) 226-3353.

[Last modified August 21, 2007, 22:24:23]