Prep Report: Tarpons spoil Tritons’ debut
The Charlotte Tarpons didn’t come away with many victories on the volleyball court last season, but a lot can be said for the experience the team gained playing together through the high school season, and later the club season.
Their cohesiveness was a decided advantage in Tuesday’s season-opening volleyball match at Mariner.
The host Tritons, in contrast, have several players lacking experience playing together and it showed in a 25-14, 25-9, 25-10 loss to the Tarpons.
“A couple of the girls I think were just overwhelmed by the situation,” Tritons coach Tom Faasse said. “I have a few girls that are playing varsity for the first time and they’re trying to catch up to the speed. It will take awhile.”
The Tarpons (1-0) are coming off a 5-20 season, which seems deceiving considering their consistent play Tuesday night.
Coach Michelle Dill presented two factors which led to their struggles a year ago, particularly a strong district schedule and the lack of experience.
The Tarpons’ roster consists of several underclassmen and only one senior, but there’s plenty of talent.
They were led Tuesday by 5-foot-8, sophomore Abbi Conde. She recorded 19 service points, including 12 aces, and added four kills and three blocks. Another sophomore, Skylar LeMaster, contributed four aces.
Junior Samantha Greenwell had seven assists for the Tritons (0-1). Junior Abby Willis had four kills and junior Brooke Gudvangen finished with three kills and two blocks.
Gudvangen and senior Debra Swain are newcomers to the Tritons. Gudvangen transferred from the Pensacola area while Swain moved in from the Orlando area.
Both players bring skill and versatility to the lineup, but the Tritons overall are searching for the right chemistry.
“They understand what they have to do,” Faasse said. “We’ll work hard and get better.”
In the opening game, the Tarpons showed better passing that enabled them to set up more of an attack. They converted their hitting opportunities and built leads of 5-0 and 12-2.
The Tritons picked up their play midway through the opening game and scored consecutive points on a tap by Greenwell and a block by Gundvagen, cutting the lead to 14-6.
The Tarpons regained command, though, and took the opening game.
The second and third games went back-and-forth early before the Tarpons surged ahead with efficient serving.
With the score tied 5-5 in game two, the Tarpons mounted a 17-2 run.
Conde pounded eight aces and served 10 consecutive points. She hit a variety of different serves and the Tritons had problems adjusting to the flight of the ball.
In game three, the teams were tied four times early, including 3-3 when Mariner senior Jamie Bentley served an ace.
The Tarpons grabbed the lead at 6-5 and remained in front.
The Tritons hope to rebound Thursday when they visit Estero.
North Fort Myers 3, Island Coast 0: The host North Fort Myers Red Knights pulled ahead in a tight second game and finished off a three-game sweep of the Island Coast Gators 25-13, 25-21, 25-8.
Junior Natalia Menendez had three blocks and three kills for the Gators in their regular-season varsity debut.
“Our nerves got the best of us,” Gators coach Cheryl Stauffer said. “I think we got a pretty good set of girls, who are ready to fight and win some games.”
Sophomore Susie McKeever tallied 24 assists and three aces, and 6-1, sophomore Jessica Wagner finished with 10 kills, three blocks and three aces.
Sophomore Miranda Ashby (six kills) and junior Jessica Petrucci (five kills, five aces, five digs) also contributed for the Knights.
“We have a really good atmosphere in the gym. They’re into it,” Knights coach Jeremy Ridgeo said. “They’re enjoying themselves and working really hard.”
The Knights face a difficult task Thursday at Fort Myers. The Gators are back in action Wednesday when they host Ida Baker.
Boys Golf
At Cypress Lake Country Club: Ida Baker made its season debut Tuesday with a 170-229 victory over Cypress Lake.
Ryan Gallick led the Bulldogs with a nine-hole round of 4-over 40, backed by Michael Faulkner with 42 and 44 from both Bryr Austen and Clayton Langowski.
The Bulldogs host Cape Coral Thursday afternoon at Palmetto Pine Country Club.
Ida Baker 170 – Ryan Gallick 40, Michael Faulkner 42, Bryr Austen 44, Clayton Langowski 44.
Cypress Lake 229 – London 51, Betts 56, Albright 58, Avoglia 64.
At Coral Oaks Golf Course: Three scores in the 30s enabled Mariner to win its season-opening match over Cape Coral 157-173.
The three Tritons carding the medalist round of 38 were senior C.J. Cricco, junior Dean Hofer and sophomore Kyle Schulte. Braden Junkins completed the foursome with a 43.
The Seahawks were led by H. Halverson’s round of 39. Anthony Myers and Tyler Doyle each added a 41 with Nick Dekeyser turning in 52.
The Tritons face North Fort Myers Thursday at Magnolia Landing while Cape takes on Ida Baker at Palmetto Pine Country Club.
Cape Coral 173 – H. Halverson 39, Anthony Myers 41, Tyler Doyle 41, Nick Dekeyser 52.
Mariner 157 – C.J. Cricco 38, Dean Hofer 38, Kyle Schulte 38, Braden Junkins 43.
At The Forest: Evangelical Christian suffered a close loss in its season-opening match against South Fort Myers, 166-172.
Matt Hannaford led ECS with a medalist score of 38. Jake Sherwin added 43, Grant Rosario 45 and Garrett Lee a 46.
ECS faces Seacrest next week at The Forest.
South Fort Myers 166 – Alex Felice 37, Max Koenig 42, Zach Felice 43, Austin Schultz 44.
Evangelical Christian 172 – Matt Hannaford 38, Jake Sherwin 43, Grant Rosario 45, Garrett Lee 46.
Girls Golf
At Fort Myers Country Club: Georgia Price led Fort Myers to a season-opening victory over North Fort Myers 193-253. Price’s medalist score was 42.
Brittany Agricola carded a round of 48 on the par-36 course to pace the Red Knights, who next visit Mariner at Coral Oaks on Thursday.
North Fort Myers 253 – Brittany Agricola 48, Brooke Bailey 68, Allie Kennedy 70, Ashley Beckos 72.
Fort Myers 193 – Georgia Price 42, Daniella Bitto 46, Katie Melich 52, Naina Sharma 53.
Sports editor Jim Linette contributed to this report.