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Hernando Today

Lady Tigers: No Longer Unbeaten

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Challenger’s Courtney Skinner (11) concentrates on keeping this play alive at Fox Chapel Middle School Monday night in a rematch between the county’s top two volleyball programs in Spring Hill. The Navigators eventually solved Fox Chapel, 20-25, 25-21, 15-8.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: September 23, 2008

SPRING HILL - Up to Monday night, Fox Chapel's varsity volleyball team has had a season to remember.

But the rematch against the defending Hernando County Champions from Challenger K-8 ended in a 3-set match they'd most likely want to forget.

After the Tigers grabbed the first set, 25-20, Challenger solved Fox Chapel 25-21 and 15-8 to tie the Hernando County Middle School Athletic Conference standings at 6-1.

The Navigators somehow survived its horrendous 44-of-58 serving effort to split the seasonal series.

Second-year Patti Martin's team was paced by eighth-grader Kelcie Thomas' 13 points, featuring 10-of-11 serves across the final two sets.

Courtney Skinner added nine points and went 10-for-10 from the service line in a fine all-around effort.

Stephanie Wert, Elena Hoogland and Kaci Martin each chipped in eight points for the winners.

"I about had a heart attack out there," declared Martin after the 53-minute match. "It was a good match; it could have gone either way."

What was the key?

"Grabbing the momentum (in the third set)," replied Martin. "It's not like us to serve 76 percent. We're either on or off. I think both teams really wanted this (win). We wanted to win in two. Courtney (Skinner) played a great all around match for us."

What does this win do?

"Now, we're tied with 'em (Fox Chapel)," explained Martin. "Each team has three matches left. It makes every match from here on out critical."

From the home sideline, Head Coach Vanessa Ferrier's team committed an uncharacteristic 13 service errors finishing 43-of-56 on the night (77 percent).

Despite the loss, Marissa Welch paced the hosts with 13 points on 13-of-14 serves while Kayla Montealegre finished with 12 points on 10-of-12 serving.

Rachel Angelillo and Halie Werkmeister added eight points apiece for the Tigers.

"It was a tough loss," shrugged Ferrier. "I think both teams wanted it, but in the end only one team walks away a winner."

Where does the team go from here?

"We've got three matches left," answered Ferrier. "I hope they can come back from this. Tomorrow we'll have a hard practice and start again. I am not disappointed at all with our kids' efforts. They're (Challenger) a tough team."

Broom time

In the earlier junior varsity match, Challenger K-8 (6-1 overall) needed 48 minutes to defuse a late Fox Chapel (1-6 overall) rally, 25-7, 16-25, 15-12.

For the visitors, who committed 12 service errors (44-of-56), seventh-grader Samantha Bishop led all scorers with 18 points converting 16-of-18 serves.

Erin Moynihan added 11 points, including nine in the critical third set while Stephanie Kidd went 9-of-10 from the service line to finish with nine points.

"We got a little cocky in the second set," commented the 12-year-old Moynihan. "We're just holding up our record. For us, it's all about team work."
"Moynihan is a great team player," described Challenger's JV Coach Karen Jones. "We really wanted this. We want to keep up with Parrott. We know they were 6-0 going into tonight."
From the home sideline, seventh-graders Kelly Senker and Shelbie Thomas each scored 10 points for the Lady Tigers while Heather Collins chipped in nine points.
"We got up 7-1 in the third set, but couldn't close it out," lamented Fox Chapel JV Coach Erin Brown. "Sometimes we get in n funk and can't get out. That's kinda what happened.
"Now, we did shake off a bad start, but tonight we weren't about to give up."

Varsity: Challenger 2, Fox Chapel 1
1 2 3
Challenger 20 25 15
Fox Chapel 25 21 8
Records – Challenger (6-1 overall), Fox Chapel (6-1 overall).

Junior Varsity: Challenger 2, Fox Chapel 1
1 2 3
Fox Chapel 7 25 12
Challenger 25 16 15
Records – Challenger (6-1 overall), Fox Chapel (1-6 overall).

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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