Welcome to TBO.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pinellas News

Suncoast Pinellas > News

PHU Can't Get By Plant

PANTHERS 3, HURRICANES 0

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST

Palm Harbor sophomore Allyson Henning fights for a point at the net Tuesday night against Plant's Leah Jordan.

By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: November 12, 2008

TAMPA - Palm Harbor University was right where it wanted to be coming into Tuesday night's Class 5A regional volleyball semifinal.

The squad had already won its first district championship under coach Tara Kuk's guidance, breezed through last week's quarterfinal match against Leto High and now had back-to-back state champion Plant High in its crosshairs - the team they wanted.

Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, strong-swinging Plant had other plans in mind as it kept hopes of a three-peat alive by dispatching PHU in straight games, 25-14, 25-15, 25-21.

Led offensively by Danielle Erb and Maddie Martin (12 kills each), the Panthers sped out to quick leads in Games 1 and 2 that PHU simply could not recover from.

The Hurricanes displayed their grit in the final game after falling behind early once again, 5-1. PHU tied the game at 6-all, then went blow-for-blow with ESPN.com's No. 40 ranked team in the nation, according to the Web site's latest poll posted Nov. 7. Playing an all-around more consistent game, PHU had things tied up at 18 before the Panthers finally put the match away.

"We fought all the way through until the end and that's the way it's supposed to be," Kuk said afterwards, mentioning that her team had an off-night digging and controlling balls from the Plant attack. "I wish we could have came out like that from the beginning, but we didn't give up and we know the possibilities are there and those possibilities will be there in the future."

Outside hitter Cassie Roy led the Hurricanes with 11 kills Tuesday, followed by Chelsea King's six. Senior Morgan Kosterlitz stepped up at the net defensively with 11 blocks.

"We definitely knew they were a talented team and that Palm Harbor was going to bring it all," Plant coach Leanna Taylor said. "They wanted it just as much as we did."

Erb also had a match-high 15 digs and Plant setter Becca Howard posted 35 assists. The Panthers now advance to the regional finals where they will travel to face Venice High. Venice also swept its semifinal match against Lakewood Tuesday night.

PHU will be returning seven members from its 2008 roster next season.

Eric Horchy can be reached at 727-815-1071 or ehorchy@suncoastnews.com

Share this:

* To:
Your Name:
Your Email Address:
Personal Message [optional]: