Seven Rivers serves notice

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 11, 2001

As David did unto Goliath, the Seven Rivers Christian team is doing unto the powers in Class A, District 7.

Tuesday night's 15-9, 8-15, 15-10 victory over seventh-ranked Mount Dora Bible solidified the Warriors' standing as the best giant-killers in the state's smallest classification.

Seven Rivers entered the match with a similarly-thrilling win over then No. 1 Pine Castle on Sept. 27. The Warriors (16-3, 13-2 district) are in a three-way fight with the Bulldogs and Eagles for the top seed in the A-7 tournament.

"They are enjoying a season where they are seeing the fruits of their labor," Greg Hamilton said of the Warriors, state semifinalists last year. "They're involved in a competitive district, and that's been a lot of fun."

Seven Rivers Christian is hoping to add even more to that story as it shoots for a No. 1 seed, which is well within reach after the Warriors' two major upsets.

The first order of business comes Friday when Seven Rivers plays Montverde in the final district match of the season. The second is out of the Warriors' hands.

They are hoping for a Pine Castle win over Mount Dora Bible on Friday. That would force a three-way tie atop the district standings.

If it happens, Seven Rivers and the Bulldogs move to the top based on their superior road record, and the Warriors (85 percent) win that one by virtue of a better winning percentage.

"If we get the No. 1 seed, we won't have to play a ranked team until the finals," Hamilton said.

Looking back at Seven Rivers' 13-0 record against the rest of the district, the scenario almost would assure the Warriors a second consecutive playoff berth. Plus, it would make things significantly harder for the Bulldogs and Eagles, who would be on track to meet in a semifinal.

PANTHERS ON TOP: With its victory over Hernando on Tuesday night, Lecanto put itself in position to win the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference championship for the second straight year.

Only this time, the Panthers may not have to share the title with the Leopards.

"I'll settle for a tie, but I think Central has a good chance to beat Hernando," Lecanto coach Karen Dickson said. "I was not impressed with Hernando tonight."

Though she cringes at the thought of rooting for her Class 4A, District 7 rival, Dickson will be on the Bears' side when they play host to the Leopards on Oct. 18. A loss by Hernando in either of its final league matches (Central and Springstead) combined with Lecanto victories over Citrus and Crystal River would give the Panthers the crown outright.

Of those, the biggest hurdle would appear to be the Pirates (11-7), who have won three consecutive after losing a doubleheader at Hernando.

"They are always an excellent serving team, and they spike the ball pretty hard," Dickson said of the Pirates. "Defensively, they are almost as quick as Central, and Central's digging is awesome."

NO QUIT IN PIRATES: Though it has suffered through a four-match losing streak and has yet to beat the top two teams in its district, Crystal River hardly has given up on its postseason chances.

The Pirates' focus is on finishing strong and making the most of their No. 3 seed in the Class 3A, District 6 Tournament.

"It just depends on so much, like what girls will show up to play that night," said coach Trudee Lightbody, whose Crystal River squad is 5-5 in the district. "We play like champs one night, then turn around and play so flat our JV team could beat us."

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