Sixth time the charm?

They have talked about it all season; they want to go further.

Five times in the past five years, the Nature Coast Lady Sharks have played in a regional quarterfinal. Five times in the past five years, their season has ended right there.

Nature Coast Head Coach Dan Murphy has not shied away from setting lofty expectations for his team the last two seasons, believing he had a club capable of reaching the state semifinals.

After last year's postseason flameout, Murphy beefed up his schedule with three challenging regular-season tournaments, and the Lady Sharks (20-8) appear on top of their game.

Following a Class 4A, District 8 Tournament featuring three straight sweeps, Nature Coast will take another crack at a regional breakthrough when it hosts 4A-7 runner-up Ridgewood tonight at 7 p.m.

"We are focused that we want this region all the way through," Murphy said. "Our first focus is to get this first match and go where we've never been before. But I really think this will be more than a one match thing."

A different road

The Lady Sharks have two things going for them that they mostly haven't had at this point in the five previous tries.

For one, Nature Coast will host a regional playoff match for only the second time. It lost to Groveland-South Lake at home in 2007.

Oh, and the Lady Sharks won't have to deal with Orlando-Bishop Moore. The Lady Hornets, who have knocked out Nature Coast three times, now reside in 3A.

As a result the revamped region, 4A-II, has a much tamer look to it. A more local feel, as well, considering Ridgewood comes from nearby New Port Richey.

The winner will at worst travel no further than Pasco County, facing either Hudson, the 4A-7 champ, or Zephyrhills, the 4A-8 runner-up.

The upper half of the region features 4A-5 champ Ocala-Vanguard versus 4A-6 runner-up Tavares and 4A-6 champ Harmony taking on 4A-5 runner-up Belleview.

"I think any of them are beatable," Murphy said. "We're beatable, too. We've let down a few times this year.

"I think from now until whoever goes to Lakeland (for the FHSAA Finals), anybody can beat anybody."

If the 4A-8 Tournament gives any indication, the Lady Sharks are clicking. Of the nine games they played, only the last one, a 25-23 win over Zephyrhills, was relatively close.

With senior setter Rachel Powell (651 assists) setting up powerful hitters Alex Livengood (377 kills) and Courtney Liddle (305 kills), and a supporting cast of emerging sophomores, Nature Coast looks strong.

Tonight's opponent definitely recognizes the challenge the Lady Sharks present.

"We're going to have to do everything successfully," Ridgewood Head Coach Amber Starkey said. "Everything will have to come together. They're a tough team. So we're going to have to play tough, as well."

The Lady Rams (19-8) did not play Nature Coast this year, but both teams did participate in the Lady 'Noles Invitational at Bradenton-Southeast High a few weeks ago.

"We've played them the last two years," Starkey said. "We know they're a solid volleyball team. They have two strong hitters. They serve the ball well."

Like Nature Coast, Ridgewood also has never won a regional playoff match. The Lady Rams made it this far last year, and though its roster features four freshmen, the remaining six players were on that team.

Senior middle hitter Sarangelys Cruz leads the team in kills with 335. The other middle hitter, junior Lauren Vanker, missed time with mono but still finished second with 160.

"They're playing well," Starkey said of her club. "At this point in the season, you have to be ready. There is no tomorrow. So we've got to be ready and prepared.

"...We want to play well on Wednesday and of course we'd like to advance."

So would the Lady Sharks and they seem as intent as ever to finally make that a reality.

"The opportunity is there for us to go all the way to Lakeland," Murphy said. "If we give up, that'll be like last year's team and I don't think that's going to happen this year."

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

AT A GLANCE
WHAT: 2009 FHSAA Class 4A, Region II quarterfinal.
WHO: Ridgewood Lady Rams (19-8, 4A-7 runners-up) vs. Nature Coast Lady Sharks (20-8, 4A-8 champions).
WHEN: Today, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Nature Coast's gym.
AT STAKE: Spot in Nov. 10 regional semifinal against Zephyrhills/Hudson winner.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Ridgewood (Amber Starkey, 6th year) - S Madison Pretto (Sr), MH Sarangelys Cruz (Sr), MH Lauren Vanker (Jr), OH Brittany Martin (Sr), OH Sarah Blank (Jr), RS Mary Kujak (Fr), DS Jessica Mattos (Jr); Nature Coast (Dan Murphy, 3rd year) - S Rachel Powell (Sr), MH Michelle Doucet (So), MH Gabby Bienkowski (So), OH Alex Livengood (Sr), OH Courtney Liddle (So), RS MacKenzie Siem (So); L Alexa Coscia (Jr).

BY THE NUMBERS: NCT REGIONAL HISTORY
Record: 0-5
Date Opponent Site Results
10-28-04 Dixie County Away L 18-25, 25-18, 23-25, 26-24, 12-15
10-25-05 Bishop Moore Away L 19-25, 10-25, 21-25
10-24-06 Bishop Moore Away L 16-25, 12-25, 22-25
10-31-07 South Lake Home L 23-25, 21-25, 25-19, 21-25
11-04-08 Bishop Moore Away L 17-25, 13-25, 19-25