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Royal Knights Fall Short

Brandon Ousts River Ridge, 3-1

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST NEWS

Kelly Hughes (6) and Brittney Frey (1) of River Ridge High School combine to block the kill attempt of Brandon High's Lindsey Watson.

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: November 7, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - NEW PORT RICHEY - The unfortunate thing about athletics is that at some point it comes to an end – sometimes with tears of joy, and others, tears of sadness.

The early smiles and enthusiasm seen on the faces of the River Ridge High School girl's volleyball team Tuesday evening eventually turned to tears of the latter form as they watched Brandon High celebrate a victory they thought should be theirs.

River Ridge came out swinging hard and had Brandon on their heels all throughout the match's first game, winning handedly, 25-13.

After starting off their last few matches sluggish before ultimately coming back, it looked as though the Royal Knights were preparing to mow down another would-be challenger on their way to a state championship tournament appearance.

Their Hillsborough County opponents proved they were not ready to lay down that easily, much to the chagrin of the home team and crowd.

Game two started out much like the first with River Ridge visibly showing more energy. Slowly but surely, the Eagles began to hit their stride.

First their defense up front began improving and blocking shots to keep the game tight. Then their big hitters in the middle – led by senior Megan Fenzau and sophomore Audra Geniesse – started pounding more balls into zones where River Ridge defenders were not.

The combination equated to a 25-20 win for Brandon, and perhaps more importantly, the momentum.

Eagle head coach Amy Watson said a travel mix up and longer than expected bus ride to River Ridge played a large role in her girl's early falters.

"We basically had a microwave warm up," she said. "I knew that in the first game we were going to come out really cold because we weren't ready."

Similar to what River Ridge did to them in the first, the third game saw Brandon dictate the tempo throughout.

Their play in the middle continued to improve in the 25-16 win, along with the big hitting and service game of freshman Lindsey Watson, who plays much bigger than her compact frame may put on.

From start to finish, both teams struggled with giving away points on illegal hits. Watson and River Ridge head coach Heidi Castelamare each noted that the officiating was different from what their girls are accustomed to.

Though in a losing effort, the Royal Knights showed they were not going to let Brandon completely turn the table on them in the fourth without a last stand.

Down 24-18 and facing match point, River Ridge's Alex Laton smashed home a kill to give teammate Brittney Frey the service.

In such a pressure packed situation where one errant serve into the net ends not only the game, but the season, Frey admirably kept the ball in play time and time again, charging the Royal Knights to a 24-24 tie.

Brandon kept their composure though, and after the final ball careened harmlessly towards the River Ridge bench off the diving arms of Brooke Castelamare and Brianna Rish, Pasco County's last team standing was alive no more.

"It's real disappointing," Coach Castelamare said afterwards. "I expected to go a little bit further with these girls."

She said the middle-attacking style Brandon executed tends to give her defense fits and the girls could not quite adjust.

While not the ending they were hoping for – especially the seniors – Castelamare spoke glowingly of her 2007 Royal Knights.

"I'm proud of my girls," she said. "They're just a great group of kids and it's been a pleasure to coach them.

We've done some things that they didn't think they could do. The group next year will have a lot to do to stay at that level."

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