Seniors help 'Noles to win

BRADENTON - In his first year at Southeast High, Vince Strefling made Senior Night an event.

Wearing crowns, the three seniors -- Katie DiGirolamo, Alyssa Hernandez and Hannah Bartges, all International Baccalaureate students -- were ushered in on a stretcher carried by Seminole football players.

A teammate read a statement on what the players have meant to them, bringing tears before the sides warmed up for the match.

"It was a lot of fun, especially being carried in on the stretcher by the football boys and wearing crowns," said DiGirolamo, a four-year starter. "It's a really emotional time."

Southeast promptly went out and lost the first game.

"That happens a lot, because they are still wound up," Strefling said. "Your speech has to make them cry, or you are never going to do it again. Then, you have to deal with that whole emotional thing."

The 'Noles recovered.

Southeast tamed the Pirates for the third time. Wednesday night, the Seminoles won by the scores of 23-25, 25-19, 25-13, 25-20.

"We were all a little teary-eyed, and Coach was like, 'OK, game time.' We just had to turn on a different mentality when we went out on the court," DiGirolamo said.

DiGirolamo filled the stat sheet with 14 kills, 13 digs, three aces and two blocks.

Bartges, also a four-year starter, also had 14 kills with 12 digs and four aces.

Hernandez, a three-year starter better known for her work on the soccer pitch, added 34 assists and 20 digs.

The Seminoles (18-6) also received help from underclassmen. Junior libero Michelle McGee picked up 13 digs. Sophomore Brittane Hunter returned from an injury to have seven blocks and solidify the middle.

"We don't match up real well with them," Braden River coach Steve Haugh said. "Katie and Hannah control the game. They are very solid players."

The Pirates (19-6) celebrated their senior night with a five-game win Tuesday over Sarasota that lasted until 10:30 p.m.

"They were a little fatigued," Haugh said.

Strefling has bigger plans for future Senior Nights. At his old school, Coloma High in Michigan, players arrived in limos, were escorted in on Harley's while spotlights and fog machines provided atmosphere.

"It will get to that," Strefling said.

Out-of-Door stops Palmetto in 3 games

Jonna Marchese had 17 kills and 14 assists to lead host Out-of-Door Academy to a 25-23, 25-14, 25-15 win over Palmetto.

Rachel Cannon had eight kills and seven aces. Alana Rogers dished off 12 assists. Coleen McGrath and Hillary Hawkins had seven digs.