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Hernando Today

Hernando Sweeps HCA

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Hernando High's Brittany Hill concentrates on a serve Thursday night against HCA.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: September 4, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Hernando High made the short trip to Hernando Christian Academy Thursday night in a meeting between a Class 3A public school and Class 1A private school.

Predictably, the Lady Leopards swept the host Lady Lions in three games at The Lions' Den, but the Lady Lions kept things competitive in the loss, 25-12, 25-23, 25-23.

"We have two new setters that have never set before in their lives," HCA Head Coach Sue Murphy said. "We have a very young team and they're coming together very well. I'm happy."

Hernando (2-1) jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first game as Katie Killingsworth, Liz Lawrence and Brittany Hill each tallied kills. Libero Demi Maldonado served nine straight points to put it away.

In a much closer second game, HCA (1-1) pulled to within 24-23 on a kill by the lone senior on the team, Jackie Butler.

The Lady Lions still went into the third game down 0-2 for the match, but scored four points on the opening serve of Courtney Crawford, receiving kills from Butler and Madeline Hanshaw.

The Lady Leopards rallied back to tie three times, and HCA held its last lead, 17-16, on another kill by Butler.

An ace by Hill, the first of four points scored with her at serve, put Hernando in front, 18-17. An ace by Madison Manuel made it 24-23 Lady Leopards, but Hernando forced a side-out to win it.

"The first game we came out strong," Hernando Head Coach Cristi Charlow said. "I was wondering where this strongness has been the last two nights (in previous matches). I think because the girls knew the girls on the other team, they were ready to play against them.

"The second game we slacked off some, same thing in the third game. We were talking well, then we slowed down. I said 'Come on, we've got to keep talking.'"

Shelby Stocker had six kills and Hill four kills and three blocks for Hernando, playing its third match in as many nights. The Lady Leopards lost to Zephyrhills in Tuesday's season opener, then beat Springstead on Wednesday.

"I think we are a very strong team this year, we just have to start off strong and finish strong," Charlow said. "It's a young team, but they're jelling well together and they play well together."

Butler had four kills and a block to lead HCA, which swept Central Florida Christian on Tuesday.

"Our hustle and our intensity definitely picked up a notch or two (after the first game)," Murphy said. "They're disappointed that they lost, but we also saw what we did wrong. We were out of position a few times offensively and definitely.

"It was a real learning experience because it was a faster pace game than we've been playing. It helps us adjust on offense and defense."

HERNANDO 3, HCA 0
1 2 3
HER 25 25 25
HCA 12 23 23
Records: Hernando (2-1), Hernando Christian (1-1).

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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