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Depleted Cougars defeat Keswick Chr.

By BOB PUTNAM

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 26, 2000

CLEARWATER -- Countryside coach Kaylyn Bayly cringed when Katelen Dixon went down and held her arm during Monday night's match against Keswick Christian.

"We can't afford for that to happen," Bayly said.

Indeed. The Cougars lost Carly Brieske who sprained her ankle Sept. 19 and won't be able to play for another week. That loss was coupled with other injuries in the past week.

Nevertheless, Dixon was okay. So was Countryside.

The Cougars, which are ranked No. 8 in the Class 5A state poll, beat the Crusaders 15-5, 15-9 to improve their record to 15-3.

"It's been one thing after another with injuries, but we've been able to pull things together," Bayly said.

Brieske's injury was bad timing. The Cougars played in the tournament in Fort Myers last week without their middle hitter. Countryside missed Brieske's presence on Friday, dropping three-game matches to Lakeland George Jenkins and Miami Sunset.

Then on Saturday, things got worse. Brooke Johnnssen (leg injury) and Alicia Hagenau (sickness) were out for most of Saturday's matches at the tournament, leaving the Cougars with six healthy varsity players.

But Countryside showed its mettle to win the bronze division, beating Port Charlotte, Cape Coral Mariner and Fort Myers Bishop Verot.

"Having played those five matches really helped us confidence-wise," Bayly said. "If we hadn't played those and came in here to play Keswick cold after Carly's injury, it might have been a different story."

It wasn't, though. The Cougars only trailed once (5-3 in the second game) and cruised by relying on crisp serves from Johnnssen, Jenn Stryjewski and Katelen Dixon, who each had aces.

Meanwhile, Keswick's struggles continue. The Crusaders lost their fourth straight match, including their second to Countryside in as many weeks.

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