Athletes of the Week
Bishop Verot senior Ciara Brown and Ida Baker junior Dylan Fine are this week’s Daily Breeze Female and Male Athletes of the Week.
Brown, a 5-foot-10 setter, provided consistent production and clutch play for the Vikings on the volleyball court in three victories last week, including a five-set thriller against rival Fort Myers.
Fine has risen to the top in his three seasons with the Baker boys’ golf team, posting nine-hole scores of 38 and 39 in matches last week.
In a battle of unbeatens at Fort Myers, the Vikings rallied from a 12-6 deficit in game four and went on take the decisive fifth game in front of a raucous crowd.
Brown finished the match with 42 assists and made several key plays in the fourth game to turn the momentum in the Vikings’ favor.
“I think she took over the game,” Verot coach Wynn DePasquale said. “She refused to give in that game and turned it on and got our fans excited.”
The match took on added significance for Brown, who attended Fort Myers her freshman and sophomore years.
She remains friends and club teammates with several Green Wave players, but also wanted the victory in the only meeting between the area powers.
“It meant a lot to me. It was a very emotional game and I was exhausted afterwards,” Brown said. “Our schools are close and I knew everyone in our stands, everyone in their stands. It was fun to play them.”
Brown, who has committed verbally to Virginia Commonwealth University, is joined by many talented players at Verot.
The Vikings went 22-0 last season before falling in an epic five-setter to Tampa Berkeley Prep in the regional semifinals. The Vikings are off to a 7-0 start this season.
Among Brown’s strengths is an ability to run the fast-paced offense. DePasquale added that Brown’s work ethic sets a good example for the other players.
“She works 100 percent every minute,” DePasquale said.
Brown said her future plans include pursuing a career as a pediatrician or continuing to play volleyball, perhaps overseas.
Despite playing the game extensively for the past eight years, she’s maintained the same passion.
“I haven’t gotten burned out and I’ve played for such a long time,” she said. “I really enjoy doing it.”
Honorable mentions:
Shannon McBride, Cape Coral Seahawks volleyball, senior – Despite a pair of losses last week, McBride led the Seahawks with good defense and passing. She had three service aces against Estero and four aces against Charlotte.
Debra Swain, Mariner Tritons volleyball, senior – Swain led the Tritons with 13 kills in a win over Island Coast.
After losing three seniors from last year’s squad, the Ida Baker Bulldogs needed some of the returning golfers to take a step forward this season.
Fine has done exactly that. He saw limited playing time in his freshman campaign and began to show signs of growth midway through his sophomore year.
Playing up to five days per week during the recent offseason has led to more progress. Fine has shaved about 10 strokes off his game and has become one of the Bulldogs’ most consistent scorers.
“He definitely has made a commitment to improving his game,” Bulldogs coach Scott Conforte said. “He came back (this year) and is shooting in the 30s. It takes a year-round commitment being such a short season.”
Fine shot 39 to finish as co-medalist last Tuesday in a victory over Island Coast and East Lee County. He followed that with a 2-over-par 38 Thursday in a win at Port Charlotte.
Fine said his goal is to go even lower, matching or surpassing 32, which is his lowest nine-hole score.
“Since last year I’ve tried to practice five times a week,” he said. “I need to work on my short game and make some longer putts.”
Fine’s strong play has included five chip-ins and some long putts, though he’s still searching for his first eagle of the season.
He began playing the game at age 4 in Colorado and has continued the past eight years while residing in Cape Coral.
Honorable mentions:
Larry Gary Jr., Cape Coral Seahawks football, senior – Gary had an 80-yard interception return for a TD in the Seahawks’ 25-20 win over North Fort Myers.
Jake Kistel, Bishop Verot Vikings football, senior – Kistel threw a pair of touchdown passes to lead the Vikings to a 16-6 win over LaBelle.