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Berkeley overwhelms AHN

By SCOTT PURKS

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 27, 2000

TAMPA -- Academy of the Holy Names used sound strategy, played hard, never backed down and still lost to Berkeley Prep 15-7, 16-14 in the Class 3A, District 9 final.

"We were in both games, and we had our share of chances to take them," AHN coach Doug Chinchar said. "But Berkeley is Berkeley, and they are just a hard team to beat. They are so sound."

Academy (11-18) showed more variety in their offensive attack by not going to their featured hitter, Lora Moncrief, as often.

"I told our team that I thought they would get more players involved tonight," Berkeley Prep coach Randy Dagostino said. "They did, and it certainly helped them. They were a lot tougher than we faced them earlier this year."

AHN cut the gap to 9-6 in the first game and led 9-5 in the second. But the Jaguars could never sustain a long enough run to beat the Bucs, the three-time defending state champions.

"We're like a duct tape type of team, where we wrap ourselves up and hope it holds together," Chinchar said. "But Berkeley is a well-oiled machine. They have all the parts working together."

The Bucs were strong despite playing without one of its setters, Lennie Stearn, who was out with mononucleosis.

4A-10: TBT edges Leto

TAMPA -- Two years ago, the Tampa Bay Tech girls volleyball team did not win a game. Last year, the Titans won five but still lost every match. Thursday at Blake, the team won the biggest match in its history.

After blowing a nine-point lead in the first game, Tampa Bay Tech rallied to defeat Leto 15-17, 15-12, 15-7 in the final. "Tonight, the team that served better and passed better was the team that won," Tampa Bay Tech coach Nitta Omensetter said. "We really didn't pass better, but we served better."

Melissa Wiggins led Tampa Bay Tech with eight kills and nine service points despite playing with a bruised shin. She sustained the injury when she fouled a ball off of her foot during a softball game Saturday.

"She is probably the biggest part of that team," assistant coach Randy Spalding said. "She is the heart of that team."

Spalding said conditioning also played a role in Tampa Bay Tech's march to its first district title. The players ran in place and practiced diving between games.

"That is something they've asked to do to keep them pumped up," Spalding said.

The loss overshadowed an outstanding performance by Leto's Jennifer Roberson. Roberson had 10 kills and 15 service points, including seven aces.

Both teams will advance to the state playoffs for the first time in their histories.

Tuesday, Leto will play the winner of tonight's Class 4A, District 9 championship game between Clearwater and Lakewood. Tampa Bay Tech will meet the loser Tuesday at home.

"It's been a tremendous ride," Leto coach Derek Stewart said.

-- Frank Pastor

2A-11: Terps reach final

ST. PETERSBURG -- Tampa Prep avenged last season's district loss to Northside Christian with a 15-9, 15-1 victory in a semifinal at Keswick Christian.

"I didn't mention last year's match at all," Terrapins coach Paul McAdoo said. "All I did was make sure the players were willing and ready to go."

With the score tied 7-7 in the first game, Tampa Prep's Samantha Fleet served on three points, including two aces, to put the Terrapins ahead for good. In the second game, Tampa Prep cruised as Catherine Zidow served on eight consecutive points. The Terrapins (21-8) play Keswick Christian (18-10) in the final at 7 tonight. The Crusaders advanced with a 15-12, 10-15, 15-8 victory over Shorecrest. Tampa Prep swept Keswick Christian in their three meetings this season, including the Bay Conference title match last week.

"Keswick is a good team, and they'll be a nice test for us," McAdoo said. "They're always ready for us."

-- Bob Putnam

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