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Experience pays off for Knights in win

Late rallies give River Ridge both games of the match as it defeats Mitchell 15-9, 15-8.

By WAYNE GRUMET

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 7, 2001

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Mitchell can hit with River Ridge, but it is still far from being able to beat River Ridge.

The young Mustangs hung with the undefeated Knights at the start of each game Thursday. However, River Ridge finished strong both times in its 15-9, 15-8 win.

River Ridge (5-0 overall, 4-0 in Class 4A, District 8) served out the final four points of the first game and the last five points of the second game.

"I told them we have to do the whole package. One game, we pass well. One game, we serve well," Mitchell coach Joe Dixon said.

"It's putting it all together. They saw a little of that (in River Ridge)."

Dawn Conner led the Knights with a solid all-around game. Conner had 10 assists, 3 kills, 3 aces and 10 service points.

River Ridge's tandem of Ali Bigger and Rachel Osterholt overpowered Mitchell's front line. Bigger had four kills, and Osterholt finished with six kills and three blocks.

"We didn't miss a whole lot of serves. And we hit well," said Osterholt, who added two aces and eight service points. "We didn't have a tremendous amount of errors."

Mitchell (3-3, 2-2) was led by the combination of Katelen Dixon and Kari Weidinger. The duo had four kills and a block each. Kesha Williamson finished with 13 assists.

The teams mingled before and after the match. Some of Mitchell's players began their careers at River Ridge.

Thursday's matchup also pitted sister against sister.

River Ridge's Amanda Petrella finished with two kills and two blocks while her younger sister, Alyssa, had one kill and three service points for Mitchell.

"It's good to see them. A lot of those kids play club with us as well," River Ridge coach Heidi Castelamare said.

"It's a friendly match. That's the way it should be."

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