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Cobras come up short against Royal Knights

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 3, 2001

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Hudson gave River Ridge all it could handle in a marathon first game Tuesday.

However, the Cobras came up on the short end of a 15-13 score and had little left for the second game as River Ridge closed the match 15-7. The opening game, which lasted 32 minutes, had the emotional edge of a district championship as both teams fought for every ball. Hudson led 11-10 but River Ridge had the last burst, firing off four consecutive points to take a 14-11 lead. Ali Bigger collected two of her seven kills during the rally. Hudson (8-7, 4-4 in Class 4A, District 8) closed within 14-13, but gave away game point with a hitting error.

"We have everything to lose and they have everything to gain," River Ridge coach Heidi Castelamare said. "We just have to be ready for everything they do."

Hudson seemed on its way to another tough fight in the second game. At least until River Ridge's Dawn Conner stepped to the service line.

The junior, who took the serve trailing 2-0, fired off three consecutive aces with her jump serve and the Cobras never recovered.

"In the second game we started off pretty good, but when that girl started with the jump serve we got rattled," Hudson coach Linda McQuade said.

River Ridge (18-1, 9-0) opened up a 12-3 second-game lead thanks to Hudson miscues. Nine of River Ridge's first 12 points came via ace or Hudson error.

Conner led the Knights in all areas. She was solid at her setter position, collecting seven assists, but also hurt the Cobras as an outside hitter.

Alyssa Breviario came in off the bench to set, allowing Conner to roam and collect seven kills. Breviario had seven assists with four coming on Conner spikes.

Hudson's Tarah Marinelli dominated at the net, collecting nine kills and three blocks. Lauren Bislick added four blocks and three assists.

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