Preps

Volleyball: Bayshore wins despite Cambridge's best effort

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published November 7, 2007

TAMPA - When Bayshore Christian outside hitter Jannica Mollett talked to her friends earlier in the day about her state-ranked team's match that night against Cambridge, she got the same response. "None of the boys wanted to pay $6 to come watch it," Mollett said. "They said, 'You're playing Cambridge; it's going to be boring.' "

Wrong. Tuesday's match was anything but a snoozer.

As most expected, Bayshore defeated Cambridge for the third time in as many matches this season, but its 25-17, 25-14, 25-14 victory was anything but effortless.

"(Cambridge) came to play tonight," Bayshore Christian coach Melanie Humenansky said. "We knew coming in they'd give us a strong effort. We prepared for that."

Behind the play of outside hitter Melissa Olsson (five kills) and setter Caroline Conner (12 assists), the Lancers (19-6) built a 10-4 lead in the opening game.

Cambridge's success was short-lived.

Soon the lead had shrunk to 11-6. Then 12-8. Then 14-12.

Before long, the Faith Warriors (25-5) had taken the lead.

"They had never seen us play that well before," Cambridge coach Janelle Barnes said. "I think we shocked them a little."

Keith Niebuhr, Times staff writer

[Last modified November 6, 2007, 21:42:37]