Thu. October 15, 2009 | Eduardo A. Encina
Volleyball fab five
1. Plant (19-1): After a resounding three-set win over Brandon, Durant and Sickles will be good warmups for the upcoming district tournament and beyond. Here’s another reason they should be No. 1. Earlier this year, Plant beat Martin County in four games. Last weekend, Berkeley Prep lost to the same team in four in the Tampa Bay Invitational championship.
2. Berkeley Prep (19-3): The Tampa Bay Invitational ended in tears for the Bucs, but their second-place showing established them as a state contender. And there aren’t many players in the state having a better season than sophomore outside hitter Jordan Burgess.
3. Brandon (9-5): Rough week for the Eagles against some stiff competition. Losses to Martin County, Fort Myers and Timber Creek in the TBI, as well as a second loss to Plant, have them stinging. The experience should help come playoff time, but the Eagles still need to find some way to play Plant, a likely region semifinal opponent, more competitively.
4. Armwood (9-1): The Hawks made easy work of a game Riverview team Tuesday, winning in three games. The county’s leader in kills, Emilee Taylor, leads a young bunch that is gaining confidence with each game.
5. Gaither (9-3): The Cowboys have emerged the top dogs in their district. Seniors Laura Ackart and Jenna Clark form a formidable senior front-line pair.
On the bubble: Sickles (14-2), Newsome (10-3), Steinbrenner (14-3), Holy Names (11-8), Tampa Prep (9-8)
Volleyball statistics
Kills (Minimum 22 games)
Name, school Total KPG
Emilee Taylor, Arm 142 5.3
Maddie Martin, Plant 212 5,0
Sarah Burrington, Riv 158 4.8
Gabby Fernandez, Bay 188 4.7
Alex Johnson, Plant 218 4.5
Lindsey Watson, Bran 108 4.0
Jordan Burgess, BP 266 3.8
Laura Ackart, Gai 104 3.7
Aly Woodlee, Bran 91 3.5
Lauren Ramsey, Sic 159 3.3
Jenna Clark, Gai 86 3.3
Allison Wade, Durant 157 3.1
Kristen Liguori, Stei 126 2.8
Lindsay Young, BP 194 2.7
Ericka McGriff, TP 143 2.6
Melissa Olsson, Camb. 96 2.6
Nicole Higgins, Bran 71 2.5
Alexandria Biver, Alon. 114 2.5
Leah Jordan, Plant 98 2.5
Latora Lofgren, TP 132 2.4
Jasmine Linville, Fre 105 2.3
MacKenzie Dagostino, BP 157 2.3
Olivia Yeager, Camb. 91 2.3
Amber Rubright, Camb. 91 2.3
Blocks (Minimum 22 games)
Name, school Total BPG
Sarah Burrington, Riv 53 1.6
Nicole Higgins, Bran 42 1.5
Jenna Clark, Gai 34 1.3
Leah Jordan, Plant 48 1.2
Valencia King, Bay 46 1.2
Olivia Yeager, Camb. 46 1.2
Victoria Gay, Riv 38 1.2
Brynn Wiley, AHN 62 1.1
Melissa Olsson, Camb. 39 1.1
Lindsay Taggart, Fre 42 0.9
Katie Krueger, TP 36 0.9
Chandler Cartwright, AHN 44 0.8
Savannah Cantrell, TP 43 0.8
Paige Tuttle, Plant 33 0.8
Audra Geniesse, Bran 22 0.8
Caitlyn Still, Dur 23 0.7
MacKenzie Dagostino, BP 44 0.6
Lotara Lofgren, TP 32 0.6
Alexandria Biver, Alo 27 0.6
Assists (Minimum 22 games)
Name, school Total APG
Devin Whale, Bra 339 12.1
Becca Howard, Plant 526 10.3
Rachael Jenkins, Riv 295 8.9
Emily Hussin, Gai 226 8.1
Amanda Mirabella, Bay 274 7.8
Sam Drane, Stei 383 7.5
Ashley Rubright, Camb 283 7.3
MacKenzie Dagostino, BP 487 7.2
Laura Smith, Arm 213 7.1
Caroline Dillabough, TP 356 6,7
Carlye Owens, Sic 251 5.7
Nikki Neville, AHN 177 5.7
Ginny Willis, BP 249 5.1
Heather Mysak, AHN 202 4.9
Erika Wardzinski, Dur 157 4.0
Jacalyn Sampson, Fre 166 3.7
Digs (Minimum 22 games)
Name, school Total DPG
Leslie Gibson, Rob 164 4.8
Natasha Rowland, BP 326 4.6
Lindsey Watson, Bran 121 4.5
Katlyn Messick, Dur 220 4.3
Jordan Burgess, BP 284 4.1
Hannah Mirabella, Bay 164 4.1
Gabby Fernandez, Bay 160 4.0
Kelsey Rafols, AHN 188 3.8
Ashley Rios, Bay 150 3.8
Sammi Klemp, Bran 100 3.6
Kaitlynn Pacholke, Fre 122 3.3
Aly Woodlee, Bran 85 3.3
Maira Guadalupe, Alo 143 3.2
Ali McCurdy, Plant 141 3.2
Chelsea Parker, BP 206 3.1
Maddie Martin, Plant 130 3.1
Sarah Burrington, Riv 101 3.1
Valencia King, Bay 119 3.0
MacKenzie Dagostino, BP 196 2.9
Kaite Daorai, Plant 127 2.7
Nicole Mello, Rob 89 2.7
Statistics are usually compiled every Wednesday morning; coaches can send them to Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@sptimes.com