By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
The Tampa Bay area went 2-for-4 at the recent state volleyball championships.
While Tampa Berkeley Prep and Plant City Durant reached the final four but didn't bring home championships, Tampa Bayshore Christian and Tampa Plant captured titles.
Berkeley Prep reached the state semifinals despite featuring a roster that included five sophomores, three freshmen and two eighth graders. That youth served the Buccaneers well, as they went 24-7 this season, falling to Orlando Lake Highland Prep 25-21, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22 in the Class 3A state semifinal.
In the Class 6A final, Durant fell to Gainesville Buchholz in three games (25-17, 25-11, 25-22). In its first trip to state tournament since 2002, Durant got past Jupiter in five games in the semifinal match before running into a powerful Buchholz team.
For Bayshore Christian, meanwhile, the trip was sweeter. Bayshore Christian defeated Merritt Island Christian in three games and South Daytona Warner Christian in four games (16-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-20) to claim the Class 1A state championship. Bayshore finished the season 28-5, claiming its fourth state volleyball championship since 1998 and first since 2004.
Plant entered the Class 5A tournament and ended it the same way: as state champs. The Panthers (30-1) swept Winter Park Lake Howell and Tallahassee Leon on its way to its second straight Class 5A championship. Plant finished the season with 22 straight wins.
Plant was led by Duke-bound setter Kellie Catanach (36 assists and 21 digs) in the title match. Junior hitters Maddie Martin and Danielle Erb contributed as well, with 11 kills each.
College Signings
Tampa Berkeley Prep swimmer Jonathan Jordan is signing with the University of Virginia. Jordan was a silver medalist at the recent state meet in the 500 freestyle. Also, Jordan placed third in the 200 freestyle race.
Other announced signings include Dade City Pasco baseball players Aaron Brandt and Dylan Giella signing with Saint Leo University, Brandon basketball player Evan Ravenel with Boston College, Tampa Freedom softball player Ali Grant with Michigan State, Zephyrhills softball player Ashley Anderton with Eastern Illinois and Land O'Lakes softball players Alexis AuBuchon (Army) and Brittany Knipp (Stetson University).
6-on-6 Championship
Tampa Carrollwood Day School Prep captured the 6-on-6 state football championship. Carrollwood topped Winter Haven 51-36 to win the title.
CDS quarterback Billy Embody threw five touchdowns in the title game and running back Darrius Bing rushed for 145 yards and two scores. Also, wide receiver Matt Monteihl caught three touchdown passes.
