Young Tarpons play like savy veterans

PUNTA GORDA: The Charlotte High girls volleyball team cruised to a straight sets victory Wednesday night against Riverview.

Even more impressive than the 25-19, 25-20, 25-17 win was the way in which the Tarpons performed. While it was far from dominant, Charlotte showcased a steady calm typical of a veteran squad. The Tarpons are anything but veterans with just one senior Ð libero Taylor Welch.

"I have six sophomores and all six play and start," said first-year head coach Michelle Dill. "They're a real cool group. I'd actually like to see them show a little more emotion at times, but they've been playing together for a while; they're very comfortable with one another."

That was evident from the start Wednesday as the Rams (1-3) jumped out to a 5-1 start in Game 1. Instead of calling a timeout, Dill simply provided a few calming words and continued shouting out plays as if the Tarpons were ahead. Thanks to a quick 7-2 run, it wasn't long before Charlotte seized control and never trailed again en route to a 25-19 win.

"That's a good indication of a quality coach; quality girls," Riverview head coach Nina Singleton said. "That's mental toughness; you can't coach that."

The Rams put up more of a fight in Game 2 and were tied as late as 15-15. But Charlotte responded with a 4-0 run and ultimately took a commanding two-game lead.

Game 3 was more of the same as Charlotte (3-1) avoided any sustained slumps. The Tarpons also kept Riverview from any major runs as the Rams mustered just one 4-0 run and two 3-0 runs the entire match. "They stuck with what worked," Singleton said. "That's definitely coaching."

Charlotte's six sophomores -- Janhea Beisner, Abbie Conde, Alyssa Latham, Skyler LeMaster, Taylor Mack and Katie McCarthy -- saw the bulk of the action Wednesday. Mack led the team in kills (11) and digs (13), while Latham finished with a team-high 31 assists. LeMaster had nine kills, Conde eight, Beisner six and McCarthy five.

"I wouldn't say it's been a perfect start (to the season)," Dill said. "But it's been a pretty good start."