Pirates sink district rivals

MURDOCK - Monday night had all the makings of a great district rivalry: fans from both schools packing the stands, a high energy contest and students - and faculty ÑÊpainting themselves in school colors to show their support.

Port Charlotte fed off of the crowd's energy and was on the attack throughout the evening. Unfortunately for Charlotte, nothing was clicking, and the Pirates swept the district match 3-0 (27-25, 25-19, 25-19).

"We really responded out there tonight," Port Charlotte coach Rodney Taylor said. "Passing, hitting, digs, everything. It was a total team effort and a great win for the girls."

The match victory marked the end of a three-loss skid for the Pirates (8-5, 1-1), who shifted some players around last week and as a result hit a few bumps in the road as the girls adjusted to their new positions and plays.

The Tarpons (9-4, 1-2) on the other hand, had a productive week of practice that showed no indication of the struggles and lack of energy they'd face Tuesday. Coach Michelle Dill, who addressed her players outside the gym afterward, was not at all pleased.

"This was a district match, and we blew our chance," she said. "It was like they didn't even try. There was no heart in it, and no drive to win tonight.

"Saturday, we worked hard, but tonight we didn't show up. We weren't a team and...that's the worst I've seen them play."

Charlotte took a 7-1 lead in game one and a 4-0 lead in game two before falling victim to a lack of on-court communication, sprinkled with a few errors. Pirates junior Taylor Eiken also contributed to the Tarpons' headache, slamming down a match-high eight kills from all angles.

An Eiken attack in game one gave the Pirates their first lead of the match at 22-21, and an ace from her serve handed Port Charlotte the game. An Eiken kill also ended game two. When she wasn't set for an attack, teammates Kierston Smith and Chassity Taylor stepped up to create a balanced attack Charlotte struggled to defend.

The usually potent Tarpons attack was definitely off, but Charlotte wouldn't go quietly. Down 24-20 in game one, the Tarpons scored four consecutive points - two on Katie McCarthy aces -- to tie, and tied again at 25 before succumbing. Likewise, the Tarpons trailed 24-16 in the night's final game, then staved off defeat with three points.

None of that made Dill happy, and she had one message for her girls: Prepare to lace up your running shoes. "We didn't show up tonight; I don't know what it is," she said. "But they're definitely going to feel it (today)."

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .