The Plant City-area volleyball scene has been full of action over the last few years, and things could look similar in the 2015 season.
The move to a bigger district won’t make things any easier for Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest, but that doesn’t mean the potential for success isn’t there. With the season starting, here’s what local volleyball fans should keep an eye out for over the next few months.
DURANT
The Lady Cougars, taking a handful of early losses while getting swept in the Academy of Holy Names tournament, got off to an uncharacteristic start in 2014. Perhaps then, it was uncertain whether the shoes of Victoria Fanning and Lexi Thompson could be filled. But the senior class got into a rhythm, losing only four times before the district finals and making a run to the regional semi-finals.
Now, many of the key players from last season’s squad are gone. Lindsey Robinson, Rachael Rice, Annie Quinn and Madison Adkins have graduated, and their presence will be missed both on and off the court.
Junior outside hitter Emma Rustenberghe, who stepped into a large role in 2014, will likely play an even greater leadership role for this team. She’s one of seven juniors listed on the roster, compared to three seniors and three sophomores. There’s no doubt that head coach Brittany Wade’s system works — check her trophy case for proof — and this young team’s success will largely depend on its ability to adapt to it.
As usual, playing for Durant comes with higher expectations than most other squads in the Tampa Bay area. Can these girls win another district championship?
PLANT CITY
The Lady Raiders posted a winning record in the regular season. Unlike Strawberry Crest, it managed to steal a set from Durant in the district tournament.
Plant City benefitted from a strong senior core, getting solid play from names like Kellie Pernula and Emily Fry.
But Pernula, Fry, Michelle Daubach, Kasi Maguire and others have graduated. Plant City took a lot of hits with its senior class leaving and will now count on its four new seniors to lead the way.
That includes senior Lindsey Moore, who led all underclassmen in 2014 with 70 kills in 64 sets played and led all players with 109 total blocks (78 solo). She’ll be joined by juniors Jacey Hooker, who led all Lady Raiders with 254 digs (13.4 per game), and Taylor Harrell, whose 433 assists were good for the highest total on the team.
Plant City has already played, and dropped, its first two matches — 3-2 against Newsome, 3-0 at Wharton — and is looking to rebound before district play begins Thursday, Sept. 10. Can head coach Jessica Thornton and the Lady Raiders turn it around and make something happen in the district tournament?
STRAWBERRY CREST
Last season’s district runner-up, the Lady Chargers started strong and looked about as good as any team in the Tampa Bay area throughout the rest of the season. The one knock against the team was that it could rarely seem to find an answer for Durant: the Lady Chargers lost 2-0 Sept. 20, the first loss of the season, and 3-0 in the district championship game.
While Crest did beat the Lady Cougars in three sets in early October, it couldn’t recapture any of that success when it mattered most.
The good news is that the team is dealing with only a fraction of the losses that Durant and Plant City have faced. Jailene Caraballo (who led the team with 38 aces and 317 digs) and Marviana Mackey were fine players, but the Lady Chargers appear equipped to deal with those losses.
All-Star senior Terra Brooks, whose 227 kills and 87 total blocks led the team, is back to shore up the middle for Crest. Senior assist leader Danielle Oberle (520) is back, as is key contributor Alex Calescibetta (117 kills, 248 digs, 25 aces). Head coach Morgan Miltner and these Lady Chargers could be poised for good things this year — perhaps that will even include a district title.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
