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Knights hand mighty Cobras thorough defeat

River Ridge gains early advantage in district race with easy victory over

By JOHN C. COTEY

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 31, 2001

HUDSON -- Bigger is better.

And so is River Ridge.

"I told you," Royal Knights coach Heidi Castelamare said moments after her team, behind star hitter Ali Bigger's nine kills, handed Hudson a startling and thorough 15-0, 15-6 defeat. Bigger, second in Pasco County in kills last season, repeatedly blasted holes in the Hudson defense, particularly for sideouts to quell any Cobra ideas for a rally. The high-flying senior paced a River Ridge attack that also featured junior Dawn Conner's setting and three kills and the blocking of sophomore Krystal Dennis.

For the first time in years, the two archrivals -- Pasco's top programs the last decade -- are in the same district, giving River Ridge the early upper hand. It was the third win this week for the Royal Knights against playoff teams from last season, and second against a Class 4A, District 8 opponent.

The game also counted in the Sunshine Athletic Conference standings and avenged a loss to Hudson last year in a game that eventually determined the SAC title.

"I expected a bigger fight," Castelamare said. "Hudson has a great tradition. I didn't expect 15-0. I thought at least it would be double digits."

The Cobras expected Bigger, Conner or even senior Rachel Osterholt (three kills) to give them trouble. The play of Dennis, however, might have influenced the outcome of the match more than any other.

Stepping in for graduated county player of the year Alison Baker and all-county hitter Nicki Prack, juniors Lauren Bislick and Tarah Marinelli were making their debuts as the Cobras' new net players. But Dennis, who finished with eight blocks, repeatedly stuffed their kill attempts. Trailing 13-0 in Game 1, Hudson's Jackie Law went up for a kill, only to be stuffed at the net by Dennis. Law's shoulders slumped, she looked up at the ceiling and wore the look of a frustrated player.

Hudson led just once -- 2-1 in the second game. But another block by Dennis, aces by Osterholt and Bigger and two kills from Conner keyed a 7-0 run that sealed the win.

Barring a dramatic turnaround, Hudson's five-year reign as Pasco County's best team is apparently over. The Cobras fell to 0-2 with the loss and showed none of the fight of previous Hudson teams.

Unable to control the net, hesitant on defense and baffled by the serve-receive part of the game, the Cobras never recovered from River Ridge's early blitz and are a work in progress, according to coach Linda McQuade.

The performance prompted her to suggest more lineup changes for her once-mighty program, which last year was Class 4A state runner-up.

"I know we're going to struggle," McQuade said, "but we have to revamp our lineup. This was already our second lineup in two games. I'm going to try one more."

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