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Avon Park Sweeps Hardee

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Highlands Today Staff Report

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 4, 2008

WAUCHULA - Seniors Daija Barrett and Brearnna Tate led the defensive attack on Thursday, as the Avon Park volleyball team cruised past Hardee 25-22, 25-18, 25-16 in the Class 4A-District 10 match.

Barrett and Tate combined for eight solo blocks, as the Red Devils responded to their coach's motivation before the game.

"I told them to pretend they were playing Sebring," said AP head coach Stephanie Devlin. "I didn't want them to play down to their opponent, but to play with the same intensity and they did just that."

Barrett also finished with six kills and five digs, while sophomore Zakia Hart had six digs and three aces in the win.

The Devils are back in action on Tuesday, when they host Palmetto.

VOLLEYBALL: Green Dragons Beat Mulberry In Four

MULBERRY - Lake Placid's Kaneisha Hamilton had 11 kills and Tiffany Bisbey had 10, as the Green Dragon volleyball team defeated a tough Mulberry squad 25-13, 23-25, 26-24, and 25-16 in the Class 3A-District 10 match-up on Thursday.

"My concerns about Mulberry being a tough team were not unfounded," said LP head coach Marilyn Jones. "We swapped leads with them countless times, but in the end it was out big hitters that help spark some good rallies for us.

"I'm just happy to get out of there with a win."

Lake Placid's Sierra Weaver chipped in with nine kills and Kayla Summerfield had seven in the district win.

The Dragons return to action on Monday, when they host Mulberry.

VOLLEYBALL: Sebring Improves Despite Loss

ARCADIA - The Sebring volleyball team received head coach Venessa Sinness' message loud and clear, as the Blue Streaks played with a renewed sense of passion during Thursday's match against DeSoto.

"I got my message to them when I cancelled practice on Wednesday and let them know changes were coming," Sinness said. "I told them I didn't care if they won or lost, but that they walk off the court knowing they did all they could.

"They found their heart tonight."

Sebring played with a sense of intensity, although DeSoto beat them in three games (18-25, 15-25, 19-25) in the Class 4A-District 10 matchup.

Sinness made changes to the starting lineup, with Hannah Shoop moving to middle hitter, while sophomore Anna West took her old spot at the outside position.

"I liked that change," Sinness said. "Some of the changes I made aren't permanent, but that change seemed to work since they were very focused in the match, mainly because they were out of position."

The Streaks are back in action on Tuesday, when they host Braden River.

The Highlands Today sports department can be reached at 863-386-5841 or sports@highlandstoday.com.

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