Lady Indians put lessons to test in three game win over Port Charlotte

Wednesday, 16 September 2009 05:24 Written by Dennis Maffezzoli

VENICE - Coming off a statement weekend against two national powers, it would have been almost expected if the Venice High volleyball team had a letdown entering its following match. Not this group of Indians.

"We were really focused tonight," senior outside hitter Emily Daniels said. "We went out and did our jobs."

That job was to dispose of Port Charlotte as quickly as possible.

Venice made quick work of the Pirates with a 25-11, 25-11, 25-12 victory in a Class 5A-District 10 match Tuesday night at the Indians gym.

"After playing two really, really good teams, it's always important to play your hardest to show what you've been doing: like playing the best," Daniels said, referring to the Indians defeating Tallahassee Leon on Friday at home and losing to Tampa Berkeley Prep on Saturday in Tampa before returning home for the matchup with Port Charlotte. "We have a hard schedule for a reason."

Daniels had four of her team-high seven kills on Venice's first 10 points, as the Indians set the tone early and never let up, even when Coach Brian Wheatley cleared his bench.

"We came out with a lot of intensity," Wheatley said. "We're definitely improving. We're better than we were two weeks ago."

During the third game, the Indians had all underclassmen -- or the future of the program -- on the floor.

And they did not miss a beat.

"Any time you can do that, it prepares them for the years to come," Wheatley said.

Included in the rotation was freshman setter Danika Yoder. In her first varsity match, Yoder dished off 13 assists.

"He put me on the back row to let all the underclassmen play," Daniels said. "Our underclassmen are ready."

Venice (6-1 overall; 1-0 in 5A-10) finished with 23 aces, eight by Autumn Duyn, six by Morgan Shattuck and four by Payton Herschberger. Duyn topped with nine digs. Brittany Burrows (4) and Yoder (3) also contributed to the 35 digs.

Venice returns to action tonight at unbeaten Cardinal Mooney. The Cougars are the last area team to defeat the Indians, way back on Sept. 19, 2001.

VOLLEYBALL: BRADENTON CHRISTIAN CRUISES

BRADENTON -- Bradenton Christian breezed past Citrus Park Christian 25-5, 25-6, 25-7, Tuesday to improve to 8-1 on the season.

Standouts for the Lady Panthers included Anita Kiner, who registered four kills; Kelly Moss, who had three kills; Ashley Deal, with 11 assists; and Savannah Smith, who had six aces in the win.

Bradenton Christian is off until the Manatee County tournament this weekend.

VOLLEYBALL: BRADEN RIVER ROLLS PAST BAYSHORE

BRADENTON -- Braden River beat Bayshore in a Class 4A-District 10 matchup, 25-10, 25-18, 26-24.

Standouts for Braden River included Kelly Shiels, with 23 digs; Rachael Hubbard, who had 11 digs; and Lauren Powell, with seven kills and 10 service points.

Braden River improved to 4-1, 2-0 in district.

The next match for Braden River will be Friday against Saint Stephen's in the Manatee County tournament.

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