TAMPA - Plant coach Leanna Taylor was worried her players would be distracted going into Tuesday's Class 5A-Region 3 semifinal against Palm Harbor.

It was the team's final home match of the season and Venice High, a team the Panthers have battled in the postseason the last four years, was possibly waiting for them in the next round.

Still, the Panthers kept their composure as junior Maddie Martin and senior Danielle Erb finished with 12 kills each to lead Plant in a 25-14, 25-15, 25-21 win.

Plant (26-3) will play at Venice on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the regional final for a chance to clinch its third consecutive state tournament appearance.

"We did a great job of containing our emotions," Taylor said. "We worked hard on defense and kept the ball alive."

Senior Ariel Ley added eight kills while junior setter Becca Howard had 35 assists. Erb had a team-high 15 digs and junior Ali McCurdy had 11.

Junior Cassie Roy led Palm Harbor (24-4) with 10 kills.
In the 2007 region final, Plant defeated Venice in five games.

"We think about [Venice] all year," Taylor said. "It's an exciting time in our program."

By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2008