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Clearwater Takes Out Rival East Lake

Fifth Straight 5A-9 District Championship

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST

Clearwater High became District 5A-9 champions Thursday night for the fifth consecutive year.

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: October 26, 2007

TARPON SPRINGS - TARPON SPRINGS - The Clearwater High School volleyball team entered district tournament play in an unfamiliar setting this past week.

It wasn't their surroundings - the Tornadoes are very familiar with host East Lake High School's gym and fans - but rather their seeding in the seven team event.

The defending Class 5A District 9 champs entered the 2007 field as the number three seed.

Regardless, Clearwater blew down Largo in their Round One match and then dismantled a strong Palm Harbor University team that had beaten them twice already this season.

That set up a #1 vs. #3 showdown with host East Lake Thursday night. After a first round bye, the Eagles out-talented Tarpon Springs High to set up the battle in what was likely the most competitive district in Pinellas County.

The girls on both sides of the net did not disappoint.

There was powerful offense, diving and sprawled out defense, phenomenal service play and above all - intensity.

Everybody stepped up at certain moments, making for a highly entertaining and competitive match. East Lake's infamous Blue Crue - the rowdy student cheering section - came out strong, waving flags and toting a dry-erase board while taunting Clearwater players and fans alike.

When the dust finally settled, Clearwater remained standing. They were victorious after four hard-fought games with an Eagle team that would not budge. Clearwater won 25-22, 23-25, 25-17, 25-21.

It was their fifth straight District 5A-9 championship and it came after their sixth consecutive Pinellas County Athletic Conference championship as well.

"We didn't plan on being third," Clearwater head coach Tracy Sedely said after the game about how her girls have reached this point in 2007 while ranked lower than desired. "We won our conference championship with PCAC and that really helped us boost our confidence."

It showed on the court Thursday night as multiple players came up huge in tough situations. Channing Salava, Clearwater's senior setter and one of Pinellas County's top ranked players, gave one of her typical great all-around performances. She set up her teammates with 34 assists, added eight strong kills at the net and tallied seven aces in utilizing of one of the most impressive service games around.

It was that powerful, high-flying serving ability that she used to take over in the fourth and final game. Visibly determined, Salava served up the final winners consecutively that put East Lake away for good.

"She does take over, she's awesome," Sedely said of her top athlete. "She's an intense player. You couldn't ask for anything more in a player and she really does control the court and control the team out there."

Right-side hitter Megan Aguirre tied East Lake's star middle hitter Sara Rex for the most kills with 19, Kristi Polnak added nine and big hitting JB Davis pounded seven to the floor.

Besides the 25-17 third game won by Clearwater that saw the Tornadoes pull away after scoring six straight points to break a five-all tie, each series was neck and neck until the end.

For East Lake, Rex clearly played the role as team leader once again and showed off her front court abilities all evening long.

Defensively, libero Andria Tagarelli put on a show of her own against the big hitters of Clearwater. Diving all over the court, she finished with 27 point-saving digs and played a large role in why East Lake kept games tight.

While the Eagles' season has hit a bump in the road, they've still qualified for the region quarterfinals that could potentially set up another rematch with Clearwater.

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