PHU COMEBACK

IRC pulled it off earlier in the year, but this one may have been more impressive considering the stakes. Down 2-0 last night to East Lake in the district semis, the Hurricanes rallied to win three straight games and played their way into the postseason in the process. IRC did the same and earned its first-ever win against Tampa Prep earlier this year, but a loss last night would have closed the book on PHU's season. Instead, East Lake's came to an end.
A couple things stood out in the match and one was fatigue. East Lake's offense ran almost exclusively through Sara Rex and Lindsey Opperman (combined 47 kills). They both played phenomenal, but looked to be worn down in the fourth, and especially the fifth, game. That said, it's always tough to see an athlete's prep career come to an end, especially for a gamer like Opperman. If intensity had a face, it would resemble hers.
PHU's offensive attack, as usual, featured Margo Sultenfuss and Mallory Kiley, but the Canes got an outstanding contribution from Cassandra Roy. Just a freshman, Roy is a name area fans will know well in the coming years. And PHU, after looking sluggish in Games 1 and 2, attacked with tip after tip that fell in front of East Lake's backline from Game 3 on. So PHU will face the Tornadoes tonight at 7 for the district title in the team's third meeting this season. Clearwater has won both matches, but the Hurricanes took the Tornadoes to five games Aug. 28, so expect a good one.
--BRANDON WRIGHT, Times Staff Writer

Comments

Thats right...PHU stomped Eastlake...and Eastlake has more coming for spray painting PHU's football field.

[:)]

You Palm Harbor girls just got lucky!! If the EAST LAKE girls weren't distracted because it's their HOMECOMING WEEK then you wouldn't have a chance!! Let's just remember whose beaten who the last 2 times East lake played Phu!!! Hmm... East Lake could beat your asses anytime!! Let's do a rematch just for bragging rights because you stinky Palm harbor girls don't even have the right to brag because we've beaten you more times than you've beaten us!!! OOOOOH!! What Now!!?!??!!

uhh isnt eastlaskes season over? and isnt PHU still playing?

Eastlake may have won the first two, but the fact of the matter is that PHU won the game that counts the most.

Hey PHU fans! East Lake ISN'T in the post-season, BUT at least we didn't end our season with 2 butt-kicking losses. That's right, first to Clearwater and next, and even more humiliating will be on Tuesday against Plant. And, isn't that 2 losses to end your season 2 years in a row to the same 2 teams? Yikes.

[VB fan]

I personally am hoping they pull out a miracle and some how beat Plant because Clearwater can beat them again. The team of Roy and Kiley are tremendous and with some good ball placement I think they can do it.

[Think Logically]

Not sure how you can make fun of PHU for playing the same two VERY STRONG TEAMS in the district finals and in the first round of regionals, when you LOST 2 YEARS IN A ROW IN THE SEMIFINALS OF DISTRICTS TO PHU! PHU getting a "butt-kicking" by any team just makes EL look even worse for losing to them. Would be VERY cool to see Palm Harbor upset Plant. Venice did it at Plant last year! GO PHU!

eastlake can call about 20 teams not playing this week for a "rematch" but you know good teams like PHU and Clearwater have to get ready for a REAL game... you know state Tournament stuff that eastlake isnt really use to loosing in districts 2 years in a row..ouch
p.s. have a great homecomming and a long season off!!

[Thinking a lot more logically]

It's absolutely ridiculous that PHU thinks they're that much better than EL. Facts are that EL beat PHU 2 out of the 3 times that they played. Unfortunately EL wasn’t able to pull out with the win when it mattered the most.

Now let’s really THINK LOGICALLY

How many times in school history has PHU advanced out of districts? 2
How many times has PHU then advanced past Regional Quarter Finals? 0
How many First Team All-State Players has PHU had? 0

How many times in the past 15 years has EL advanced out of districts? 12
How many times has EL then advanced past Regional Quarter Finals? At the least 6
How many First Team All-State Players has EL had? 3

Once Sydney, the backbone of the team, is gone PHU will then know what EL had to deal with all season long with two young setters (FR & SO). PHU had a great rally, fought and came back to win. Great job girls! Best of luck against Plant, but I don’t see an upset against Plant anytime soon.

[District Game Observer]

PHU is going to be just fine next year. Like was posted earlier, EL only had 2 hourses Rex and Opper and that just can't do it. They were tired and had no supporting cast. Slater was not playing that night. PHU will have Kiley, Roy and Sultenfuss and I hear that Shay sets in club. EL has not been having too big of a turn out of girls wanting to play Varsity so maybe PHU will dominate earlier next year. Clearwater could be hurt next year with Salava the only remaining one there from the varsity as a Freshman. Rilling, Fisher, Salava have been playing together for years and it shows. But, they too have some horses that have big potential, just havn't come through yet but will step up I am sure. As in last night, when all 6 are playing their game they are hard to stop. I think next year will be interesting which is why High School ball is so great. You have to play with those available not like club that you can choose. Good luck to PHU. Any one can win or loose on any given day! Go for it -

Slater was digging amazing that night and Opperman and Rex were spiking kills left and right!!!! I don't know why you think thay freshman Roy is so good, I didn't see that on Wednesday night!!! Plus next year PHU won't have Sydney Miller (by far the best player on the team)!!! PHU won't have anything next year!!! while East lake will still have the amazing Sara Rex who will only get better over club season for next year!!!!!!!!!!!!

Someone told me to read these stupid things...and i find it hilarious you lame parents have nothing better to do with your boring lives then comment about a game that is over with and dominatied by PHU....get over it!...stop talking and actually do something about it because this is the most immature thing i have ever seen, and if you are so proud of your posts then how come you dont put your names with them??? Lets think who is tough here..the team who won...or the lame parents who are still making excuses when their lazy kids didnt concentrate enough on the game!!! I thought drama was over in high school. You parents really need to grow up because you are adults who dont need to defend your children on a stupid blog!!! Maybe you should try parenting with your spare time!

I agree with the last comment.

power to ya!

[:)]

If your so proud about your comment October 20th @5:10 then why didn't you leave your name???? Hm.That what I thought?? Just another LAME ass PHU fan/player!!!!!

East Lake - East Lake, I am so sick of hearing about East Lake and how good they are. Let's talk facts....The new freshman Cassandra Roy dominated the court. What a refreshing moment to see someone so focused and on top of her game. It will be very exciting to see what she can do in the years to come.

Do not worry Oct 20 8:55, because we don't have to hear about East Lake anymore this year. Their season is over. Roy is good as a freshman, but Kiley is owning the front row at this point better than Rex. Sidney will be missed but PHU should be fine next year, especially if Kiley improves as much at club this year as she did last year!

October 21st, "owning the front row" are strong words. Out of curiousity, how many kills did Kiley have in the last PHU/EL game?

[Still waiting]

Yah how many kills did Kiley have? Guarentee it wasn't more than Rex's 28 kills! I think we'll be waiting a few more years to see Kiley or Roy own the front row.

Reply to Oct 20th @ 5:10
Don't forget that the athletes from the teams and other teams are putting input into this blog. Girls focus on the game and working hard to be the best you can be. The opinions of others do not matter if you have given it your all!

"Rex's 28 kills" is a lot. You would have thought 28 would get a mention by Brandon in the paper as an outstanding effort. I don't recall reading about that.

From where I stand it's obvious the girls that are mentioned in these blogs have enough self confidence to let these comments roll off their shoulders and laugh at the people trying to tear them down, or compare them to other players. It's become entertainment for others that have alot of time on their hands. The parents and the friends are the ones making this blog a tit for tat site on the players behalf.

Why don't we all realize it's over and done with. Just wait til next year instead of wasting time complaining about things you can't change. What happened was meant to and life goes on.

Best punter: PHU's Joey Kenyon

[feadiofoffilm]

I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. But it was interesting!