It’s state or bust this season for Shorecrest volleyball
Source/Author: Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
September 24, 2018
Shorecrest Prep's volleyball team underwent some changes prior to this season. While the Chargers didn't graduate any players, they did get a new head coach in Raquel Ferreira. And junior setter Annabel Happ and sophomore hitter Kendall Farley are newcomers who get plenty of playing time.
After a 13-10 season in which they were the second-best team in Class 4A, District 4 behind eventual state champion Carrollwood Day, the Chargers weren't sure what to expect when this season started.
"The biggest challenge for the team this year is that there is new leadership," Ferreira said. "We have two new players and new leadership. It takes time for everyone to adjust."
But it didn't take much time for the players to establish their goals.
"On the first day of practice we all wrote down our goals separately and we all had the same goal: states," senior Jacqueline St. Cin said. "We went to regional finals last year and we lost to the team that was ranked first in the state. We are planning on going farther this year."
St. Cin has been a major factor in Shorecrest's 10-2 start. But that's no surprise. She, along with setter Taylor Waldmann, has been on the Chargers' varsity since eighth grade. A 6-foot-2 outside hitter, St. Cin committed to USF last month. She was originally committed to Clemson, but a coaching change forced her to find another school.
St. Cin and Waldmann have played on the same club and high school teams since they were 13.
"We have this crazy bond," said Waldmann, who unlike St. Cin does not plan on playing volleyball in college. "We can just look at each other and know what the other one is thinking. It's good cop, bad cop sometimes, but it works."
Waldmann may be one of the luckiest setters in the area. Not only does she have St. Cin next to her, but junior Chaise Campbell is a 6-foot-2 middle hitter who can also produce some powerful kills.
"When I'm in the front row, I have both of them up front," Waldmann said. "They are the tallest people I know, so it's comforting having them up there. They are like a security blanket."
With an intimidating front row and plenty of talented depth like sophomore libero Julia Craig, senior right-side setter Delaney Counsman as well as newcomers Happ and Farley, the Chargers certainly look like a state tournament-worthy team. But there have been some hiccups this season.
Shorecrest lost 3-0 to district opponent Calvary Christian, which has clearly stepped up as a playoff contender. And at the Keswick Invitational two weeks ago, the Chargers lost 2-0 to Indian Rocks Christian.
They did make up for that with a 3-0 win over IRC last week.
There are more challenging matches upcoming, including district opponents Tampa Prep and Carrollwood Day, prior to the district tournament. But if the IRC match is any indication, the Chargers appear to be getting better as the season moves on.
"I really see so much potential for this team," St. Cin said. "We have so much heart and fire and passion to win. I don't think that was there that much before. We've had some ups and downs, but we just had to get used to each other. You've got to build the trust and it's a challenge."
Waldmann said she sees a change in the team from the first week.
"We feel a lot more confident on the court," she said. "We're starting to trust each other."
Original story: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/high-schools/2018/09/24/its-state-or-bust-this-season-for-shorecrest-volleyball/
Original story: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/high-schools/2018/09/24/its-state-or-bust-this-season-for-shorecrest-volleyball/
