Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 26, 2001
DADE CITY -- Wesley Chapel wanted more than its second consecutive district title Thursday. The Wildcats sought something they missed in three previous meetings with a pesky Pasco team: a two-game sweep.
The Pirates kept things interesting in the opening game, averting four game points in a 15-11 loss. But then the Wildcats took over, closing out the match with a 15-1 victory in the final. "They were confident from the beginning," Wesley Chapel coach Julie Krull said. "They wanted to do it in two; wanted to prove to themselves that they could do it."
The Wildcats got six kills each from Angela Medvid, Tralisa Gant and Jamie Freund, whose final kill gave the serve to Emily Conklin. Conklin finished off the Pirates with five consecutive points.
"We knew Pasco would be good competition, but we wanted to dominate. And that's what we did," Freund said. "This is so awesome. I don't even know how to describe it."
Pasco, which earned its first regional playoff berth Tuesday, trailed 11-3 in the first game but clawed back to a 12-11 deficit, getting three consecutive service winners from Dani Hill.
Once Wesley Chapel had a game point, Pasco held on for a string of eight sideouts before Conklin finished the match with a kill.
Zynara Chapman led the Pirates with five kills.
"They have nothing to be ashamed of and everything to be proud of," Pirates coach Christine Webb said. "I told them to hold their heads high and smile, considering we finished 6-14 last season. And look where we are now. And we still have another game to go."
The Wildcats (21-5) will open the playoffs at home Tuesday against Robinson while Pasco (15-10) will travel to Tampa Catholic.