ON DECK

This is a new installment on the Times' blog that will spotlight a freshman athlete in Pinellas County every Thursday, with the purpose being to give readers a glimpse of future County stars. These players don't have to dominate in the present, but are ones who will likely be household names in the future. Feel free to let us know if you're privy to a freshman athlete who is deserving of consideration.

CASSANDRA ROY

Roy's playing time on Palm Harbor's volleyball team may have remained the same throughout the season, but her play did not: the redheaded outside hitter just kept getting better. PHU coach Tara Kuk said "She's been in our rotation all year, it's just that people started to notice her as her play got more consistent." Being an unknown freshman coming onto a playoff-caliber team, fans started noticing the newcomer with the bright red locks. "People kept asking me 'Who is that new girl with the red hair?'" Kuk said. "But she's shown she can play with this team." And finding her first classes at PHU hasn't been the only challenging thing about this year. "There was some pressure playing for (PHU) because you're the youngest player on an older team and you don't want to be the one who messes up." Roy, who's been playing volleyball since fifth grade, competed with her (Under) 14-Black Tampa Bay Juniors club team at the Junior Olympic Championships in Atlanta this summer.

Who's next on deck?

BRANDON WRIGHT, Times Staff Writer

Comments

If you are going to talk about freshmen stars, you have to talk about Mary Michael Toups. She was a starting left side hitter for CCC varsity volleyball. Mary walked in as a freshmen and took a major role on a team of junior and senior veterans. She jumps out of the gym, can put a ball down and is not afraid to hit the floor on defense. Watch out Pinellas, this girl is one to watch over the next 3 years!

Katie Homme, Seminole, one of the top cross-country runners in the county

I have to say Brandon and his cohorts just keep fueling the fire. Athletes and parents quit blogging this makes me so sad. There are so many talented volleyball players in the Tampa Bay area. Volleyball has become a game of hitters with no credit to any others. What about those perfect passes and sets. Coaches, parents and girls celebrate your teams and your efforts.

Many athletes are talented thank you to all teams for the most exciting volleyball season ever. Coaches lets give some credit to all your players. Parents support your duaghters and their teams. Girls support one another and your teams. Don't help the St. Pete Times and Brandon turn volleyball into a cat fight

Over it in Tampa Bay, keep at it Brandon and we will have wars in our schools. I have watched with much dismay in the papers and this blog because my daughter's team has been dramatically affected. I'm not reading anymore all schools celebrate your athletes whether Freshmen or Seniors. QUIT BLOGGING PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!

yawnnnnnnn (directed at the last three posts).....thanks for the info 1:07 p.m., we've already got Katie on our radar and are working on it!
-BRANDON WRIGHT, Times Staff Writer

I thought this thread was about freshmen, not for whining. I like the idea, keep it up. What about the freshman setter from east lake (don't know her name)?

[Ken]

Thank You Brandon for doing a very nice thing here. You other bloggers just don't get it! Not about volleyball, its about Future Potential stars, this was a perfect fit to start with, the BAR is set high with Cassandra being named, she truly is a future star, an awesome player, excellent student and very nice person! My recomendation for Future star at this level is BLAKE FREEMAN... PHU swimmer has placed very high at the Jr. Olympics and will help this team remain on top till 2010.

[Coachmom]

It's not how you start that counts...it is how you finish especially after years of hard work. There are many athletes that hit their peak at age 14 or 15 and by the time they are 17-18....they have not improved...still the same....or heaven forbid....they get injured and sidelined permanently. Then you also have the "late bloomers" who are totally awesome by 12th grade and ready to play with a maturity to handle pressure. I have seen from experience that too much pressure on our young athletes...and not being able to do other activities... can and will lead to burnout and then this great freshman athlete "quits."

Great post 9:18 a.m. Unfortunately, it is also very true. When I played baseball in HS, one of my very close friends didn't make all stars or varsity until he was junior. But, when all was said and done, he ended up with a scholarship to a JUCO and then a D I school. Physically, he went through a growth spurt after his sophomore year in HS and the kid worked furiously to improve his skills. He's now a baseball coach in Sarasota County. So I've seen it first hand. Being good as a freshman by no means guarantees future success, but it's a good place to start.
-- BRANDON WRIGHT, Times Staff Writer

WOW!! Why anyone would feel the need to put a negative spin on this really makes me wonder, if everyone thought like Coachmom, why would you even leave the house and try to compete in sports as a youth, its only going to rain tomorrow. POTENTIAL is the story here, congratulate them for what they have accomplished! We would never have future Olympians, if the child athlete did not commit to a sport, strive for dreams, yes some burn-out, its the coaches and parents that need to step up and keep the child athletes lives in balance.
Coachmom with your negative attitude on life, I wouldn't want you coaching my kids.

[Coachmom]

"Coachmom with your negative attitude on life, I wouldn't want you coaching my kids."

Coachmom's life is great....knowledge is power!

[Coach Foster]

I think what Brandon is doing with the Freshman is really great. We know that there are great players throughout the county in all grades. However, the idea of this post is to recognize Freshman standouts.

Cassie Roy is a great player. She deserves to be recognized. As for Andrea Tagarelli from East Lake (Setter), WOW!!!! I have seen her play for the last 3 years with Tampa Bay Juniors as a Libero. She is a great defensive player and is doing very well as a young setter. She has been asked to take on a tough task as setter with a program that is very well established.

Great job to Brandon for actually reporting on volleyball every week this year. If you remember the past, Pinellas County used to get very little coverage during the regular season. Lets be thankful that there is a reporter at St. Pete Times that is willing to run around the county and report on the sport.

I love Brandon Wright!

VOTE FOR BRANDON WRIGHT FOR PRESIDENT!

[D Harris]

Hunter Tremaine..Shorecrest Prep.
A Freshmen who has been there since the start of the season.Check out his stats. He missed three weeks due to having his appentix out. He stepped in as quarterback early in the fourth quarter of a tough game against Northside after their only quarterback, Page Harris was injured. True Talent.

[Stephen Cundiff]

Is this one for volleyball only or not?
If not then look to Osceola's Girls Soccer Team starting Goalkeeper Brittany Bennett. Did some great work in the OHS pre-season games. Just a thought.

Brandon Wright, I think you are doing a great job. We really enjoy the extended Pinellas County sports coverage. Love the idea to recognize freshmen. Cassandra Roy deserves the spot light. How about freshmen cross country runner P.J. McDonald at PHU. He helped his team qualify for Regionals.

Let's give it up for B. Wright everybody, one more time for Brandon Wright

Latavia Dempsey from Boca Ciega in girls basketball. Her brother is a star and she was a phenom in AAU. Will start for Boca this season and has all the skills; Passing, shooting, defending, etc...

[V olleyball Mom]

Last time I checked Volleyball was a team sport. To be good it takes six players on the court at one time. Lets stop talking about one player at a time. Let's focus on a team!!!

Matt Brown for Govenor

Now that Volleyball Club season has begun, pay attention to the following teams - great talent, great potential:

Tampa Bay Black 15's, Pinellas Heat Elite 15's, Sandspur 18 National, Gulf Coast Jrs 18 Travel