By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
When Randy Dagostino was hired at Tampa Berkeley Prep as its athletic director and baseball coach in 1980, the school's volleyball program was virtually non-existent.
Since then, Dagostino has established the Buccaneers' program as arguably the best in the Tampa Bay area, one of the best in the southeast and in the nation. On Oct. 12, the Buccaneers topped Ruskin Lennard 3-0 (25-5, 25-9, 25-11) in its usual dominant fashion. The win was Dagostino's 700th of his career at the school.
Now 700-150 as the Bucs' coach, Dagostino and Berkeley Prep prepare to head to district tournament play at 16-7 this season.
During his tenure, Dagostino has led the Bucs to 12 state championships and has made a total of 16 state tournament appearances. Berkeley Prep won its first state volleyball title in 1986, most recently in 2003. At one point in between, the Bucs were so dominant, they captured six straight state championships (1988-1993).
Golf district tournaments
Behind solid play from both squads, Tampa Plant's boys and girls golf teams captured district tournaments.
With Doug Letson shooting a 1-over-par 72, followed by Charlie Martin's 73 and Charles Silverfied's 76, Plant cruised to the Class 2A, District 10 championship. The Panthers finished 27 shots ahead of second place Tampa Chamberlain and 29 ahead of third place Tampa Gaither.
Tampa Blake's Rick Kittelstad was the medalist, firing an even-par 71 to win the individual title.
On the girl's side Genevieve King was the lone Plant player to break 80, but it was still enough to lead the Panthers to their seventh straight district title.
Tampa Sickles freshman Alex Milan, however, was the outstanding player of the girls event, taking first place among individuals with an even par 72. Milan carded five birdies on the front en route to her outstanding round.
"It's really awesome,'' Milan said after her round. "I was able to string a bunch of birdies together. I was a little frustrated with my play on the back nine but you can't be mad about shooting par.''
Meanwhile, at the girls Class 2A, District 11 tournament, two of the best girls' players in the area squared off. Plant City Durant junior Amy West outshot two-time defending district champ Shena Yang of Tampa Wharton.
West shot a 4-under-68, which included an eagle to slip past Yang, who shot a 1-over-73.
Tampa Berkeley Prep dives right in
Tampa Berkeley Prep was untouchable at the Class 1A, District 7 diving championships.
Berkeley Prep's Kyle Dent established a school record with his 426 points in winning the boys title. Tampa Jesuit's Marcelo Garcia was second with 404. In the girls' competition, Berkeley's Marni Tuchman defeated Tampa Prep's Kaliya Burton-Albright 408 to 402.
