Southeast excels on court, in classes

BRADENTON - No offense, but you're probably not smart enough to play volleyball at Southeast High.

The Seminoles' star outside hitter, senior Katie DiGirolamo, carries a 4.9 grade-point average and will begin college next fall as a sophomore.

She faces about "about 15 hours of homework" today.

On a roster of 11 players, only two aren't IB students.

But Saturday, the host Lady 'Noles proved they are more than just everyone else's future employers.

They're among the area's elite teams, too, after DiGirolamo's 10 kills and 13 digs powered a 25-14, 25-23 victory over Class 3A-District 11 rival DeSoto County in the championship match of the 16-team Lady Noles Invitational.

"We've worked extremely hard to get where we are," said DiGirolamo, who likely will choose between Emory University (Ga.), Stetson and Worcester Polytechnic (Mass.) if she continues playing volleyball. "Our defense has improved dramatically, and we've made other teams respect all of our players."

A powerful spike by one of those players, sophomore middle blocker Brittane Hunter, and DiGirolamo's kill helped Southeast (17-7) open a 19-10 lead in the first game. The second, however, was more challenging, as the Bulldogs (18-5) erased a 15-9 deficit with a 13-7 run that tied the score.

But at 24-23, setter Alyssa Hernandez (27 assists) passed left to the 5-foot-10 DiGirolamo, whose smash down the left sideline past a diving Stephanie Carrill provided a fitting finish.

"I like to think I'm a go-to player," DiGirolamo said.

She is also a complete player.

"Katie's as effective in the back row as she is up front," said first-year 'Noles coach Vince Streflin. "You want that senior leader on the court at all times. It's a nice luxury."

Hannah Bartges (nine kills), Savannah Byl (six kills), Michelle McGee (10 digs) and Tessa Bartges (three kills, three blocks) played important roles for Southeast, which finished fourth in last year's inaugural event. Hannah Bartges is the only senior in that quartet.

The win doesn't count in the 3A-11 standings, where the top seed (DeSoto or Cardinal Mooney) for the district tournament will be determined by a coin flip and Southeast is third. But it sent a strong message.

"It's a tough district," said DeSoto coach David Bremer. "We know we're in for a battle."

Braden River beat Cardinal Mooney in three games for third place.