Defending champion Panthers cruise to road win

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published August 30, 2007

Because of Plant's enormous success in recent years, the Panthers see their opponent's best every match.

Especially when they're on the road.

"You definitely face the crowd, and that's fun," Panthers coach Leanna Taylor said. "We enjoy the pressure and love the competition. We just love to compete."

It certainly appears that way.

Playing away from home Wednesday night, the defending Class 5A state champ Panthers faced a tough test early before pulling away for a 25-17, 25-5, 25-11 win over Bloomingdale.

"They definitely wanted to come out and beat us," Plant outside hitter Danielle Erb said. "They were playing well in the first game. They were contending with us."

It didn't last. In the second and third games, Plant simply had too much.

And it didn't help Bloomingdale (1-1) that starting outside hitter Brandi Kines hurt her head while diving for a dig and missed the remainder of the match.

"In that second game, there was a little deer in the headlights," Bloomingdale coach Bonnie Hess said. "Plant is very big and very strong. And very athletic."

Erb led Plant (2-0) with 14 kills.

Maddie Martin added eight kills but had even more success with her serve. At one point in the second game, she served 15 straight points, and during that stretch her jump serve produced 10 aces.

"In the first game, we weren't clicking as a team," Erb said. "We struggled a bit. But we all sort of got together and kind of woke up. We picked it up and got a fire in our belly."

Bloomingdale's early success was largely due to its passing, which was crisp and accurate enough to allow the squad's front-line players such as Selina Torres to attack at the net.

"In the first game, we were in there all the way," Hess said.

BOYS GOLF

Jesuit 151, Tampa Cath. 186

What kind of team does Jesuit have this fall? Apparently, a very good one.

Five Tigers shot 40 or better on the lengthy front nine at Rogers Park as Jesuit matched its best score from 2006. Junior Jack Twomey led the way with even-par 36, which included pars on every hole. Dylan Malafronte shot 37 and Trent Silver added 38 after lipping out for birdie on the ninth.

[Last modified August 30, 2007, 01:16:48]