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Green Dragons Soar Into District Tourney

Highlands Today file photo by Mark Pinson

The Lake Placid volleyball team heads to Mulberry this week seeking its fourth straight Class 3A-District 10 championship.

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By BRIAN GJURGEVICH Highlands Today

Published: October 27, 2008

MULBERRY - With three straight district titles in tow, the Lake Placid volleyball team is by no means flying under the radar as it heads into this week's Class 3A-District 10 tournament at Mulberry.

Instead, the Dragons are soaring into Tuesday's opening-round match with McKeel Academy, ready to challenge for a fourth straight district title and a home regional game as a nod to their vocal group of ardent supporters.

But just because they're flying high doesn't mean they're looking ahead.

"I wish we could avoid all the talk and just play," laughed LP coach Marilyn Jones. "I know everyone's going to be gunning for us, and that's fine: We've had some success over the last few years."

And those accomplishments haven't gone unnoticed by Green Dragon fans, who've traveled well all season and have nearly taken over a few opposing gyms will cheering on LP's most successful sports program.

"It's been a lot of the football players who've sort of adopted our team," Jones said, noting a pep bus is being planned should LP reach the district finals. "It's exciting: The girls can feel the enthusiasm of the crowd and knowing the crowd's on their side is always a good thing.

"You're always going to have parents and siblings at games, but when you can get your classmates to come out, the girls really enjoy it."

Jones said her team, which has five senior starters and seven total seniors, is a self-motivated and focused group. She noted although the team is shooting for its fourth straight district title, only senior co-captain Julie Shrewsbury was a member of all four teams. But that doesn't mean the Dragons won't lean on its wealth of big-game experience in an elimination format.

"They're really good at talking amongst themselves and knowing what they need to do," Jones said. "They listen to everyone but me it seems sometimes."

Jones said junior Kayla Summerfield has come on especially strong of late and that big-hitting junior Sierra Weaver, senior Tiffany Bisbey and Shrewsbury will no doubt lead the charge into the postseason.

"It always helps if Sierra or Kayla is on," Jones said. "But that's the thing I like about this team: We have several weapons, and if one's not working, someone comes in and picks up the slack."

The Dragons open up with McKeel (whom they've beaten twice this season, dropping one game) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. See highlandstoday.com/sports for result and Thursday's Highlands Today for complete coverage.

3A-D10 Volleyball

Lake Placid vs. McKeel

Academy

at Mulberry High School

TUESDAY at 6 p.m.

Brian Gjurgevich can be reached at 863-386-5841 or bgjurgevich@highlandstoday.com.

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