Indians sweep Tarpons in semi-finals

VENICE - Venice's up-tempo style of play was too much for Charlotte as the top-seeded Lady Indians cruised to a three-game sweep over the fourth-seeded Lady Tarpons, 25-11, 25-10, 25-15, in the Class 5A-District 10 semifinal on Tuesday at Venice High.

The Lady Indians (18-8) will host No. 2 seed Naples Gulf Coast at 7 p.m., Thursday for the district championship. The win also assures Venice of playing in the Class 5A-Region 2 quarterfinals on Nov. 3. "We played real quick," said Venice coach Brian Wheatley. "We were one step ahead of the ball, one step ahead of Charlotte and playing at the top of our game right now."

"They are a step, beat quicker than us," said Charlotte coach Michelle Dill. In the first game, Venice led 19-6 before Charlotte scored three consecutive points for the first time on a kill by Alexis Jones and two unforced errors. Venice senior Emily Daniels, who led the Lady Indians with 10 kills total, had four in the first game. The Lady Indians had a 13-5 kill advantage in the first game.

"What are you going to say one of the best teams in the state," said Dill. "I find it kind of a good learning experience for my girls that we can play one of the top teams in the state and be in a tough district. My girls all play club for Coach Wheatley. I like them to be able to see what their team is like so they know that they should play club and should get to that level."

In the second game, junior Autumn Duyn had three of her team-high six aces. Venice led 12-6 before Duyn used her powerful jump serve to score nine consecutive points. While she was doing the serving, Payton Herschberger, Morgan Shattuck and Daniels pounded down the ball for kills.

"I thought we played awesome tonight," said Wheatley. "We played real loose and executed. Those are the two of the main ingredients when you are in playoffs." Shattuck, Daniels, Herschberger and Duyn combined for 16 kills in the second game while Charlotte was limited to three kills.

"We are past the teaching part of the season," said Wheatley. "It's just a matter of rolling up the ball and letting them go." Charlotte (14-9) took a 2-1 lead early in the second before the Lady Indians scored nine straight points including eight off junior Kelly McManus' serve. Charlotte's offense had nine kills in the third game including three by Abbie Conde and two each by Maria Pope and Taylor Mack.