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Highlands Today

Dragons Lock Up Top Seed

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Highlands Today Staff Report

Published: October 16, 2008

LAKE PLACID - The Lake Placid volleyball team was a little tired after their five-set match against Sebring on Monday, but the three-time defending district champion Green Dragons still had enough left in the tank to dispatch Mulberry 25-19, 20-25, 26-24 and 25-22 in a Class 3A-District 10 match-up on Tuesday.

"It was evident that Mulberry came to play," said LP head coach Marilyn Jones. "I believe this was an eye-opener for us heading into the district tournament, as the scores were closer than I would've liked, but this gave us a preview of what to expect."

Sierra Weaver and Ali Baker played great net defense, with some amazing blocks that came at the right time to spark their team.

Lake Placid finishes the season undefeated in the district and has earned the top seed in the upcoming tournament, which begins on Oct. 28 in Mulberry.

VOLLEYBALL: Red Devils Upended By Pirates

BRADENTON - Braden River's power and experience upended Avon Park 14-25, 8-25 and 13-25 in a Class 4A-District 10 match on Tuesday.

"Our passing wasn't up to par and we ran into a really tough opponent," said AP head coach Stephanie Devlin. "The girls played with a lot of effort and passion and were all over the court tonight, but we couldn't combat their big hitters tonight."

Senior Daija Barrett had two kills and seven digs, while Melissa Tullo and eight digs and two kills for the Red Devils.

AP is back in action today when they host Booker. First serve is set for 7 p.m.

SWIMMING: Green Dragon Girls Best 'Cats

WAUCHULA - Lake Placid senior Tammi Beach placed first in four events to help lead the Green Dragon girls swim team to a 173-115 win over host Hardee at a dual meet on Tuesday.

Beach took first in the 200-yard freestyle (2:17.22), 100-free (1:00.46), 200-medley relay (2:14.31) and the 200-free relay (2:00.96).

Teammate Marbelly Creel breezed to a win in the 200-individual medley (1:51.02) by more than four seconds and was also a member of the 200-medley relay.

"The girls have come into the meet with a hard week a practice last week and a hard day Monday we were confident going in the meet of a win after swimming against Hardee at our Heartland invitational," said LP swim coach Tom Creel. "The girls continued to gain competition experience and refine their fundamentals. We had a few times improve and maintained our best times as we prepare with three more meets before districts."

On the boys side, sophomore Kevin Smit equaled Beach's four first-place finishes, as he won the 200-free (2:10.62), 500-free (6:10.66), and was a member of the 200-medley relay (2:11.34) and 200-free relay (1:51.02).

Smit knocked off more than 13 seconds from his previous best in the event, while overall, the boys team had 17 improved times at the meet.

Lake Placid's Dylan Weber-Callahan took home gold in the 200-individual medley (2:39.84) and was second in the 100-butterly (1:12.44), while also earning a first place finish in the 200-medley relay.

"We swim against Hardee on Oct. 23 in a dual meet right before districts, so we have one more chance to measure ourselves against our toughest competition this season," Creel said. "Hardee has a strong team with 18 seniors and has for many years been fighting hard to take away the Dragons boys district champion status. Our team lost 16 seniors last year and we have over half the team that is first year swimmers.

"We are ready for the competition and will not give up our championship easy."

The Green Dragons host Avon Park and Sebring at 5 p.m. today.

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

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