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Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Nature Coast Head Coach Dan Murphy leads the Lady Sharks into Tuesday's 4A-II semifinal at Hudson.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: November 7, 2009

In 1995, Hudson High reached regionals for the first time since 1978 and only the third time in school history.

The Lady Cobras have only failed to advance out of their district twice since, having made it to the state semifinals thrice (1997, 2000, 2004) and finished as the state runners-up once (2000).

Only in 2002 and 2007 has Hudson missed out on a regional berth, the latter thanks to a district semifinal loss to Nature Coast, as the Lady Sharks marched toward their first Class 4A, District 8 crown.

A year later, it was the Lady Cobras delivering the upset, knocking off top-seeded Nature Coast in the district final to return to the top of the 4A-8 mountain.

Then came redistricting, Hudson was moved to 4A-7 this season and the budding rivalry died. Or did it? On Tuesday night these two old foes will become reacquainted in a 7 p.m. Region II semifinal at Hudson.

"We expected a very strong match," Nature Coast Head Coach Dan Murphy said. "Hudson has always had a strong team and always has a strong program. We're just trying to get ready for it.

"We want to beat them from the year before. Two years back we took the title from them. Now it's going to be who wants to advance further. We look for it to be a very strong match and we need to bring our A game."

New turf

Remarkably, in the 14 times Hudson (23-3) has advanced to regionals, it has won at least one match in all but 2006.

Conversely, Nature Coast (21-8) hasn't made it this far since…well, it hasn't. After five straight regional failures, the Lady Sharks broke through last Wednesday against Ridgewood, 25-18, 25-18, 25-19.

"For us it's a very big opportunity," Murphy said. "For them, it's a repeat."

Prior to this season, Linda McQuade stepped down after 19 years at the Lady Cobra helm, giving way to first-year Head Coach Shayna Munson.

There hasn't been much falloff. Like Nature Coast, Hudson has dominated the area, compiling all its losses in competitive, out-of-town tournaments.

The Lady Cobras faced Zephyrhills in Wednesday's quarterfinals, downing the Lady Bulldogs in three, 25-14, 25-12, 25-20. The Lady Sharks beat Zephyrhills in the 4A-8 final, 25-14, 25-12, 25-23.

"Both of us I think are equally as strong," Murphy said. "I don't know who has the stronger team. I'd like to say we are, but I really haven't seen them this year.

"I think they'll find we're a better defensive team than in the past. They'll find we're a lot better passing team than in the past. If they've scouted us like I'm sure they have, I'm sure they'll expect that."

Against Ridgewood, Nature Coast fell into a quick 7-0 hole but stormed back behind the dominance of hitters Alex Livengood (19 kills) and Courtney Liddle (22 kills).

Still, Murphy saw some things he'd like to see improve as the competition level increases.

"The girls are pretty much excited about it," Murphy said. "They know they have an opportunity here and they're really pushing in practice, working hard.

"My feeling is you bring what you practice into the game. The last one, we slacked off a little bit in practice and the next thing you know, we slacked off in the game. Since that game, we've been having some strong practices."

The winner of this match will move on to Saturday's regional final versus either Ocala-Vanguard or Harmony.

AT A GLANCE
WHAT: 2009 FHSAA Class 4A, Region II semifinal.
WHO: Nature Coast Lady Sharks (20-8, 4A-8 champions) vs. Hudson Lady Cobras (23-3, 4A-7 champions).
WHEN: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Hudson's gym.
AT STAKE: Spot in Nov. 14 regional final against Ocala-Vanguard/Harmony winner.

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

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