Panthers not a two-person act

In Danielle Erb and Maddie Martin, the Plant volleyball team, which owns back-to-back-state championships, has arguably the best tandem of outside hitters in Florida. Now for the scary part: The rest of the squad is pretty good, too.

Here are five players Plant coach Leanna Taylor said to watch for this fall ...

• Jordan Dickie, Sr., middle blocker: A 6-foot standout, Dickie is another player likely headed to a Division I program. She has interest from Appalachian State, Central Florida, North Florida and Samford.
• Becca Howard, Jr., setter: The Berkeley Prep transfer has fit in nicely since arriving at Plant. It wouldn't be a shock if she earned all-state honors in 2008.
• Cameron Hill, Sr., defensive specialist: The 5-foot-5 standout is a four-year letterwinner. She ranks fourth in her graduating class, which is why Princeton is among the schools she is considering.
• Ariel Ley, Sr., right-side hitter: Now in her fourth season with the Panthers, the 6-foot Ley is another exceptional student. Virginia is one the schools she is looking at.
• Ali McCurdy, Jr., libero: A three-year starter, the 5-foot-7 McCurdy is being actively recruited by programs such as Duke, Georgia Tech, Indiana and Purdue. She has first-team all-county ability.

"We've got an entire team that plays tough every day," Taylor said. "It's a team sport. One person can't walk out there and win a championship."

Plant opens its regular season Sept. 2 at home against Sickles. That night, the team will have a dinner that is being used as a fundraiser for the program's upcoming trip to a prestigious national tournament in Illinois.

--KEITH NIEBUHR