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Slow start leads to early exit

VOLLEYBALL

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Central High's Raqurra Ishmar concentrates on a kill attempt in Tuesday night's Class 5A, Region II quarterfinal at Armwood High in Seffner.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: November 3, 2009

SEFFNER - When the match began with host Seffner-Armwood reeling off seven unanswered points, it looked like a potentially quick night.

But Central didn't go down that easily. However, once again it couldn't fully overcome a sluggish start, as Armwood pulled out Tuesday's Class 5A, Region II quarterfinal, 25-19, 25-12, 22-25, 25-20.

"It's almost like we have to have something give us a spark and make us go," Central Head Coach Emily Gore said. "The same thing happened against Forest (in the district final).

"I wish we could go into a match with that confidence. But I love this group. It's a great bunch of girls."

Taylor made

Armwood (15-1) senior Emilee Taylor came into the match pacing the Lady Hawks with 310 kills and was as good as advertised in this one, recording 28 more.

"She's tough," Gore said. "I thought we made great plays against her. We knew we weren't going to shut her down, but we tried to limit her. I think some of our blockers grew up tonight."

She had nine kills in the opening game. A side-out and six straight points with Jada Spano serving made it 7-0 out of the gate.

The lead reached 11-2, though the Lady Bears (13-9) pulled to within 21-18 before Armwood stymied the rally.

The Lady Hawks cruised through the second game and seemed poised for a sweep, ahead 21-17 in the third. Yet Central out-scored them 8-1, the last four points served by Jessica Pittman.

In the fourth, the Lady Bears threatened to tie up the match, trailing just 20-19 late. Armwood finally put it away on back-to-back aces by Laura Smith, advancing to a semifinal next Tuesday versus Newsome.

"The report I got on them said they were scrappy defensively and they did exactly what I thought," Armwood Head Coach Mike Wyatt said. "We took the first two games and the girls got complacent maybe. We slacked off on serving, but we picked it up midway through the fourth game."

"I think our lack of aggressive play at times and we struggled in our passing," Gore said of what hurt her squad. "When we get that pass, we make plays. It's a matter of getting the passes to the setter."

Raqurra Ishmar paced Central with nine kills. The junior figures to return next season, but this marked the end of the line for senior Quynn Fonseca, the team's top player the past couple years.

Despite dropping this match and falling short in the 5A-7 final last week, Fonseca came away satisfied with her final prep campaign. The Lady Bears hadn't made regionals since 2006, her freshman year.

"It was awesome," Fonseca said. "We really wanted it and we're just proud of ourselves to be here. I couldn't ask for more, especially as a senior. I wanted it so bad.

"I started crying. It's just because it's over and I'm going to miss it so much. But I'm proud of my team."

Gore completed her first season at the Central helm and also deemed it a success.

"I'm pleased, I'm happy," Gore said. "It's great group. I love this group of girls. I just hope the rest of them come back next year hungry."

SEFFNER-ARMWOOD 3, CENTRAL 1
1 2 3 4
CEN 19 12 25 20
ARM 25 25 22 25
Records: Central (13-9), Seffner-Armwood (15-1).

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

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