Clearwater holds on for victory

By BRANDON WRIGHT
Published August 31, 2007

Clearwater started fast, took its foot off the gas but then sped through the finish line to defeat East Lake 25-17, 25-22, 16-25, 14-25, 15-11 at the Tornadoes gym in a district battle of county heavyweights.

"We won easily those first two and then just laid down," Clearwater coach Tracy Sedely said. "That said, East Lake played tremendous defense, and they were all over the place out there. I was extremely impressed with (East Lake's) defense."

Clearwater's Channing Salava, as usual, did a little bit of everything. Salava had 11 digs, six blocks, five aces and 30 assists.

"Channing worked her butt off (Thursday) because our passing wasn't all that great," Sedely said. "She earned her keep out there on the court."

The Tornadoes' Kaitlin Posnak had eight kills, and Leigh Jester posted 16 digs.

Clearwater outside hitter Megan Aguirre injured her right knee during the third game, but not before registering seven kills and five blocks. Sedely said there was a "50-50" chance Aguirre will be ready for tonight's North Conference matchup with visiting Countryside at 5 p.m.

"It's tough for Megan because she has been playing so well," Sedely said. "But the girls showed a little toughness tonight, and I was proud of that."

- Countryside d. Gaither

The Cougars tuned up for tonight's match at Clearwater with a district win against the Cowboys. Madison Truluck had 13 kills, and Jamie Rutkowski finished with 10 digs and three aces for Countryside.

"We started a little slow, but we got to doing the little things, and that was the difference," Countryside coach Kaylyn Bayly said. "We're a small team, so passing is key for us, and when we do it well, there are a number of things we can run off that."

- Indian Rocks Christian d. Bishop McLaughlin

25-17, 25-10, 25-13

Tabitha Henley had five aces and IRC finished with 14 as a team against the host Hurricanes. IRC's Brianne Yeates had nine kills, while teammates Kenzie Reynolds and Jessica Jones pitched in with 15 digs apiece.

"We started off very good and had good intensity all night," IRC coach Mark Foster said. "The girls were just banging balls all over the court."

- Boca Ciega d. Dixie Hollins

25-12, 25-8, 25-10

Lefty outside hitter Bianca Iannello led the way for the Pirates. Boca Ciega coach Brad Daniel said his three-headed setter combination of Alexandra Lenczyk, Brittney Wolfenbarger and Victoria Waskowska "all had great games."

- Canterbury d. Oldsmar Christian

25-11, 25-11, 25-14

The visiting Crusaders played shorthanded but moved to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in the district with the win. Alexis Conway (right ankle) and Macey Hall (right wrist) missed the match, but coach Dave Smith said he expects both to return by late next week. Playing with just seven, Abby Jay (eight kills), Emma Brody (seven kills) and Erika Whitman (seven aces) had strong matches for Canterbury.

Boys golf

- St. Petersburg 167, Dixie Hollins 192

The Green Devils' Bobby Musselman (39) and Matt Guenther (42) led the way at the East Bay Country Club. Despite the loss, Rebels' coach Jeff Schellhause said the team's 192 "was the best team score in three years."

The Rebels were led by sophomores Josh Reed (44), Brock Jensen (48) and Cody Bohnet (49).

- Oldsmar Christian 191, Canterbury 215

Sophomore Nathan Rivera (43) fired the low round of the day for Oldsmar Christian as the Eagles won their opener. Eagles freshman Jacob Philbec shot 46 and teammate Jacob Peters a 47 at East Lake Woodlands. Canterbury's Charlie Curtis led the team with 46.

"We've had a tough time getting some practice time in due to the weather," Oldsmar Christian coach Frank Teats said. "So for some of the kids who had never played in a match before, this was a good start."

- Northside Christian 166, Clearwater Central Catholic 174, Admiral Farragut 181

Gus Myers fired a 36 for Northside Christian to lead the field, and teammate David Dresselhaus carded 41. Mike Myregaard (39) and Tyler Bailey (41) paced the Marauders, who played a little shorthanded.

"We were missing two of our seniors because they played in some tournaments prior to this," CCC coach Tony Pasquine said. "We pulled up a player from the developmental team just so we could field six (golfers)."

- Calvary Christian 148, Bradenton Christian 167

Five of the six Warriors shot under 40 at Tarpon Woods, led by a pair of 36s from Aaron Watson and Taylor Hancock. Calvary Christian's Greg McClimans shot a 37, and teammates Mike Bascovich and Matt Brookins each shot 39.

"They just aerated the greens, and believe it or not, we missed some birdie putts," Warriors coach Josh Gilmore said. "They were real bumpy or we would have come in even lower."

- East Lake 154, Dunedin 158, Tarpon Springs 185

Four Eagles shot under 40 at Wentworth, but Dunedin's Travis Houston carded the day's low round at 36. Nick Buccina and Jeff West shot 38 for the Eagles, and teammates Terry O'Reilly and Ryan Stolz finished at 39. The Eagles are coming off a big win at the 14-team field in Monday's East Lake Invitational, where Bellamy Pielat and O'Reilly shot under 80 over the 18-hole format.

Tarpon Springs' Dakoda Dowd led the Spongers with a 41.

Girls golf

- Northside Christian 155, Clearwater Central Catholic 239

Sixth-grade sensation Anna Newell fired a career-best 39 for the Mustangs, while teammate Michelle Butler carded the low round of the day with 37 at the Bellaire Country Club.

"(Newell) was moving very quickly and had a definite sense of enthusiasm when she got off the last green," Northside Christian coach D.J. Jackson said with a chuckle. "She's a tremendous talent and has all the tools."

Four of the six Mustangs finished 40 or better, including Morgan Jackson (39) and A.J. Newell.

Girls swimming

- Keswick Christian 29 Indian Rocks 27

Chelsea Miller finished with 1:18 in the 100 backstroke to lead the Eagles.

- Countryside 116 East Lake 69

Paige Schmidt (1:59.35) took the 200 freestyle, Melanie Margalis (2:13.33) won the 200 individual medley and Rachel Burns (53:41) finished first in the 100 freestyle for Countryside, which also took the 200 medley relay with 1:53.31.

Boys swimming

- Countryside 121, East Lake 62

James and John Taddeo swept each event they competed in to lead the Cougars to the win at the Long Center. James won the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke while John took the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle. Both swam legs on the Cougars two winning relay teams. East lake's Ian Bennett won the 50 freestyle with a time of 23:55.

- Admiral Farragut 82, Canterbury 0

The Blue Jackets won uncontested as Canterbury did not field a team. Matt Thompson swam well despite no opposition, registering 4:57 in the 500 freestyle and 1:50 in the 200 freestyle.

[Last modified August 31, 2007, 01:55:28]