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Mean Green Machine

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

The Lake Placid volleyball team shows off the Class 3A-District 10 trophy after beating Mulberry on Thursday night. The win over the Panthers gave the Green Dragons their fourth consecutive district title.

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By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: November 1, 2008

MULBERRY - With a fourth consecutive district championship only a victory away, the Lake Placid volleyball team showed no mercy in crushing Mulberry 25-15, 25-17, 25-15 in the Class 3A-District 10 tournament on Thursday night.

The Green Dragons, who came out a little flat in Tuesday's semifinal win over McKeel Academy, were firing on all cylinders from the opening point to rout the Panthers.

"We were so pumped up for this match," said Lake Placid senior co-captain Julie Shrewsbury. "We knew we couldn't give Mulberry anything because they're a good team and they had the home court and the fans behind them.

"We came out aggressive and everyone was on tonight and to be a part of a fourth straight district title is amazing."

The top-seeded Green Dragons, who defeated Mulberry twice in the regular season, used their depth and experience to make short work of the Panthers.

"We knew Mulberry had improved during the season and we didn't take them lightly," said junior outside hitter Kayla Summerfield. "We fought so hard for this win and it makes all the work and sacrifice worth it."

The district title gives Lake Placid a home match against District 9 runner-up Melbourne Central Catholic in the regional quarterfinals at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night

Mulberry, with the home fans roaring, played well in the first game and tied the score at 5.

Lake Placid, led by the formidable net play of junior hitter Sierra Weaver and the strong serving of Summerfield, pulled away to take a 19-13 lead.

Weaver, who had a team-high 10 kills and five blocks, used her height to intimidate the Panther players into numerous mistakes. Summerfield, who finished with eight kills, four blocks and 11 aces, finished off the first game with an ace.

The Panthers played even with the Green Dragons in the second game and tied the game at 7.

Lake Placid, with excellent sets from Shrewsbury and the power shots of senior outside hitter Kaneisha Hamilton, bolted out to a 16-8 lead.

Shrewsbury reeled off six consecutive points with her lethal serve as the Dragons cruised to the second game win.

The third game was a mere formality, as the Mulberry players crumbled under the relentless pressure from the explosive Lake Placid offense.

Summerfield scored numerous points with her serves and Weaver and Tiffany Bisbey, who had six kills and three blocks, controlled the play at the net as the Green Dragons took a 15-6 lead.

Lake Placid substituted liberally the rest of the way, but there was no stopping the Green Dragon machine.

Jessica Wantuck blasted a spike on match point as the faithful Green Dragon fans stormed the court to celebrate the district championship with the players.

"I'm so proud of this team," said veteran LP coach Marilyn Jones. "They were talking all day about this match and I told them if they wanted it to go out and get it and they did what they needed to do. We played really well and even though this is our fourth straight district championship, it's just as sweet as the first one.

"Every year is different, but winning with this group of girls never gets old."

Lake Placid hopes to advance in the state playoffs, and Tuesday's regional quarterfinal match against Melbourne Central Catholic will provide a stern test.

"I haven't seen Melbourne Central Catholic, but we know they have to be a good team to make it to the regionals," said Jones. "We're going to have to be ready for quick sets and some different looks, but we're looking forward to the challenge.

"It's been a great year and we want to keep playing as long as possible."

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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