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Bucs showcase talented cast
By JOE SMITH
Published September 12, 2007
TAMPA - Berkeley Prep sophomore Lindsay Young is a big movie buff.
The outside hitter's movie interests - from Mean Girls to Remember the Titans - are about as diverse as her skills on the volleyball court.
In fact, coach Randy Dagostino compares Young to former Bucs and Georgia Tech star Merran Miller, "probably the most complete player we've ever had."
But as Berkeley Prep showed Tuesday night in its thrilling, 3-1 road win over fellow private school power Tampa Prep, Young may play a lead role, but she's not the only star in their show.
The Buccaneers 5-2, playing in front of a boisterous and body-painted Tampa Prep student body, fought off a rally to beat the Terrapins (25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19) for the sixth straight time.
"We weren't going to break the streak," said Young, a 6-foot redhead Terrapins fans called 'Skyscraper.' "We haven't lost to them in three years, and we weren't going to start now."
Young (14 kills), along with Chelsea Parker (nine) powered Berkeley Prep's net attack, with Christina Theofilos and Danielle Michiels strong on serve-receive.
But the Terrapins (3-5) wouldn't go away, thanks to a group of hitters that "allows us to attack from any side," coach Mike Flynn said.
And in the third game, the Terrapins were willed back by junior Alena Ransom (10 kills) and senior Alisa French (17 kills, 10 digs).
Tampa Prep led in the fourth, but in a wild turn of events, the Bucs - then up 20-19 - were awarded a point for a yellow card on the Terrapin fans (a student inadvertently kicked the ball off a Bucs player's head). Tampa Prep wouldn't score again.
"We are even," Tampa Prep junior Dana Malinowski. "They don't have anything we don't have. ... We'll get them next time."
Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or at (813) 310-9024.
It's a hot spot
Why the Berkeley Prep-Tampa Prep volleyball rivalry is tough to top:
The fans.Rarely do you find crowd surfing and celebrities at high school matches. For this game, you get both; from the boisterous, body-painted Terrapin student body - including hairy heavyweight wrestler "Big Tony" - to former major-league slugger and Tampa native Fred McGriff.
The tradition.The private school powers have combined for 27 state championships (15 for Tampa Prep; 12 for Berkeley).
The competition.Even the athletic trainers boast side bets. Tom Watterson (Tampa Prep) and Eddie Bunton (Berkeley Prep) each earn a point each time their team wins; the highest total gets the "Golden Tape Award."
[Last modified September 12, 2007, 01:17:05]
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