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Victory gives Pirates a lot to shout about

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 26, 2001

BROOKSVILLE -- It starts with a shout, then a clap, followed by a stomp and another clap.

Crystal River's "ace cheer" is hard to miss, especially when it appears as regularly as it did Thursday at Hernando's Imhoff Gymnasium.

Trailing top-seeded Williston 5-0 in the second game of the final, the Pirates served eight aces during an 11-1 run to get back in the game.

By the time Melissa Coburn's spike sealed a 15-12, 16-14 victory, Crystal River had turned the match into a production of Riverdance.

The victory, Crystal River's eighth in a row, gave the Pirates their first district title in 10 years and first under ninth-year coach Trudee Lightbody.

Crystal River (16-7) will host the Jacksonville Bartram Trail-St. Augustine Menendez loser Tuesday in the opening round of the regional playoffs.

"They just played with all heart," Lightbody said.

"They wanted it. The team that wants it most is going to go out and get it."

Crystal River, which lost twice to Williston (20-2) during the regular season, joined Chiefland as the only teams to beat the Red Devils.

After trailing 7-5 in the first game, the Pirates scored five consecutive points to go ahead 10-7. Williston closed to 14-12 before Coburn -- known for scoring on fake sets -- put the game away with a solid spike.

Serving saved Crystal River in the second game, as nine aces erased an early five-point deficit. Williston came back to take a 14-12 lead, but Julie Fioretti served the final four points, including Coburn's winning spike.

"Aces are awesome," Coburn said.

"That's something they can't return to you, and you don't even have to work for it."

Coburn finished with five kills and three aces. Lisandra Vazquez had team highs of eight digs and four aces. First-year varsity player Jennifer MacRae blocked seven shots.

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