Preps

Hudson volleyball keeps finding new ways to win

By DAVID MURPHY, Times Staff Writer
Published October 11, 2007

HUDSON - As the Hudson volleyball team celebrated its second straight come-from-behind victory Wednesday by dancing with classmates in the back end of the school gymnasium, a fellow faculty member pulled Linda McQuade aside.

"Your girls showed a lot of heart tonight," he told the coach.

It was a compliment well-earned.

For the second straight night, Hudson pulled out a dramatic victory over a county rival, losing the first two games before winning three straight to beat Land O'Lakes 21-25, 17-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-12.

The victory came one night after the Cobras won the final two games to beat Zephyrhills in five.

"Tonight we showed we had heart," Hudson middle hitter Lauren Stump said.

The Cobras also showed that they are far more than a one-man team.

Though senior outside hitter Lara Metz once again came through with crucial hits at crucial times, players like Stump and fellow senior Paige Lake played critical roles down the stretch.

Stump had four of her 11 kills in the decisive fifth game, when Hudson battled back from a 10-8 deficit to win 15-12.

"She did a great job tonight," McQuade said.

Hudson needed it.

For the first two games Land O'Lakes played as well as any team in the area has played all season.

Though the Gators were led, as usual, by the senior triumvirate of Kayli Keough, Danielle Priest and Jessica Bryant, they also got key contributions from role players like senior libero Kristen Moehle, senior outside hitter Bianca Bisulto and junior setter Ashley Libernini.

Keough recorded seven of her match-high 24 kills in the Gators' 25-21 victory in Game 1.

Land O'Lakes easily won the second game, holding leads of 14-4, 18-8 and 20-10.

But Hudson rebounded, winning the final eight points of Game 2 and the final two points in Game 3.

"We just needed an awakening," Stump said.

Land O'Lakes has lost three straight and is 15-7. Hudson, meanwhile, has won three straight to improve to 16-5.

"We started playing our game," McQuade said.

David Murphy can be reached at dmurphy@sptimes.com or 352 848-1407.

[Last modified October 10, 2007, 23:47:44]