DeSoto Re-Sets Sebring's Bar

When his girls are on a roll, even DeSoto volleyball coach Dave Bremer knows when to just get out of the way.

Behind 6-foot-2 senior Brittany Muse's 14 kills, the Bulldogs ended Sebring's perfect start to the season and blasted their way to a 25-9, 25-14, 25-20 sweep of the Streaks in the district rivals' first meeting of the season.

"We have six seniors and they've been together a long time," said coach Bremer after his team showed dominance early and energy throughout despite getting home late Monday night from a trip to Port Charlotte. "They want to have a good year, and I just want to accommodate them."

Senior Molly Blackman had three kills, while Hannah Shoop, Anna West and Britt Augustine combined for six more for the Blue Streaks, who had trouble with DeSoto's strong serving and crowd-riling kills to lose their first games and match of the season.

"They're a very aggressive serving team, and our serve-receive really struggled in transition," said Sebring coach Venessa Sinness. "Muse is a great player and she's going to get her kills, but really, it wasn't just her who beat us.

"It took us three games to adjust ... we have to come prepared in the first game, on the first point."

Sebring sophomore Megan Darr said the Bulldogs had the toughest hitters Sebring's played against this season, and it simply took too long to adjust.

"Once we started picking the ball up and getting used to it, we got better," Darr said. "But we're just not used to playing anyone this strong."

West said the Bulldogs' repertoire of hits forced adjustments, and DeSoto's front-line power was always a factor.

"They have hitters who can hit line and cross consistently, and it's not by chance," West said. "And tonight, for the first time this season, we played a team that could hit really hit back at us from every position, and we had to adjust our defense and blocks to that."

After splitting the first six points, DeSoto displayed its defensive prowess and ball-control, winning 12 straight points to take a 15-3 advantage and never look back. The Bulldogs rode that momentum to a 7-4 lead in the second game before a fan disturbance stopped play. After a short interlude and chiding from coach Sinness, the stoppage appeared to rally the Streaks to tie the game at 8-8. But DeSoto again responded when they needed to, winning 12 of the next 14 points to run away with the second game.

"We need to learn to adjust faster to that quicker-paced game," Sinness said.

The Streaks won points on the longest rallies of the final game, most notably when Shoop blocked a Muse kill and earned a point for the Sebring, which earned the biggest roar of the night from the Blue Streak faithful. But the Bulldogs always seemed to keep themselves separated, thanks to Muse and fellow 6-footer Shelby Flint.

"In the third game, we were more consistent with our digs and less careless with our hits," West said. "We have the most heart of any team I've been on, and we have as much as anyone in the district."

Darr agreed, noting that the team was upbeat and confident despite the loss.

"The chemistry between our team is strong," Darr said. "We're together all the time and we're like a family."

Sinness said the only way to prepare for DeSoto's offensive bombardment is to actually play them, and that her team will be better after the loss.

"They're still positive and upbeat and so am I," Sinness said. "Right away, they were saying we just have to work that much harder in practice."

The Streaks hit the road at 7:30 p.m. tonight for a meeting against district foe Braden River. For results, see Saturday's Highlands Today.