TBO Prep Sports Land O Lakes
Land O' Lakes Volleyball Takes 3 From Feisty Wesley Chapel Squad
By Eddie Daniels | Tribune Staff
Published: September 29, 2008
WESLEY CHAPEL - Prior to Monday night's match against Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes volleyball coach Michelle Griffin told her team they needed to focus on staying ahead when they took the lead.Published: September 29, 2008
She wanted her group to maintain their intensity and not let up. That intensity - ebbing at times and flowing at others - proved enough, allowing the Gators to collect a 25-21, 25-15, 25-18 victory against the Wildcats.
"I think they did a good job tonight," Griffin said. "They played consistent. We've been getting better as a team every since the two tournaments we played in over the last couple of weekends. We didn't get the results we wanted as far as wins and losses, but we definitely got to the point where we've gotten better. We've made the next step up I would say."
Part of taking that next step likely involves digging themselves out of holes, which during Game 1, Land O' Lakes (4-12) had to do. Prompted by an errant Gators free ball and a 13-7 deficit, Land O' Lakes called a timeout. Following the break, the team went on an abbreviated, 4-1 run.
A key momentum shift in Game 1 came on a diving play from Gators setter Ashley Libernini. As Wesley Chapel (3-10) returned a Libernini serve, Libernini found herself near the front row, diving to her right. The senior got her outstretched, right arm under the ball, sending it to the Wildcats side of the net, falling untouched.
That cut the Wesley Chapel advantage to 15-14. On the ensuing Land O' Lakes serve, the Wildcats return went into the net, knotting the game, 15-15.
Land O' Lakes eventually pulled ahead, taking Game 1, 25-21.
The momentum continued to flow in Game 2 as the Gators opened up with a 10-2 run, forcing the Wildcats into a timeout. Wesley Chapel began to cut into that lead, 11-7, but Meghan Keough's three consecutive aces kept Wesley Chapel at a safe distance. An errant Wildcats serve ended Game 2, 25-15.
"We're going to be the underdog in every match we play," Wesley Chapel coach Perri Hankins said following the match. "We were definitely behind starting out the season and we've really improved and come back.
"Our team has some confidence, so they're going to fight."
Game 3 was exactly that, a fight.
The game featured six ties and neither team could get out to a substantial advantage. Wesley Chapel jumped ahead 5-1, but the Gators tied it at 6-6. Later in the game, Land O' Lakes up, 12-11, Wesley Chapel hitter Jeileen Mas' kill knotted the game at 12.
Holding a 20-18 advantage, Land O' Lakes eventually closed the game and the match out thanks to five Wesley Chapel hitting errors.
Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com.