Sharks and Eagles Take Home Victories at Beach Volleyball Tourney

March 13, 2024

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Springstead High School, 6, Emily Miller attempts to hit past Weeki Wachee High’s Marlee Schumacher, 20, in Beach volleyball Tuesday at Bishop McLaughlin High School. [Photo by Joe DiCristofalo]

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On Tuesday afternoon, four in-county schools travelled to Bishop McLaughlin High School to compete in the school’s beach volleyball tournament. Nature Coast, Springstead, Weeki Wachee, and Central took part alongside the Hurricanes.

Weeki Wachee finished 2-3 against the Red, White, and Blue. Though their third, fourth, and fifth squads suffered tough losses, their ones and twos took down their respective Eagles opponents to give the Hornets a chance. Against the Columbia Blue and Black, Weeki Wachee fell 1-4 with only the twos emerging victorious. It was especially difficult for the Green and Black, as Hornets Coach Taylor Miller pointed out they had multiple athletes who were unable to compete across their five duos they brought to the tournament.

“I would say the girls played hard, but in beach, it is anyone’s game at any point,” Coach Miller said. “The elements and surroundings tend to become the other players on the court. We were down a few girls so every pair but one was playing with someone different but never an excuse because [Springstead] and [Nature Coast] put up a great game. I wish them good luck in the rest of their season, and we will see them at districts.”

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It was a solid showing for Eagles Coach Mike Lanziero’s squad as they managed the aforementioned victory over the Hornets, though they fell to Nature Coast 2-3. It was a razor thin margin against Coach Emily Gore’s five duos as four of the five went to three sets. The Red, White, and Blue split these sets going 2-2. With their 1’s losing 15-12 and their fours inching even closer in a 17-15 defeat, opportunities were certainly there to take the victory, but the Eagles were only just bested by the Sharks.

“Springstead played very well today,” Coach Lanziero said. “Our one and two pairs had their hands full all day versus two talented one and twos for Weeki and [Nature Coast]. Three, four, and five pairs really dug in and played hard helping lift the team to a win versus Weeki […] These girls worked so hard, and it showed bring four out five matches to a very close third set! Extremely proud of the young core of players we have going for us.”

Nature Coast Tech, 7, Amanda Tirado tries to save a volley Tuesday in a beach volleyball match versus Springstead High at Bishop McLaughlin High School. [Photo by Joe DiCristofalo]

The Sharks had the best outing of the afternoon as they defeated the Hornets 4-1 and Eagles 3-2. The last pair two square off between Springstead and Nature Coast was the match between the fours. It went down to the wire, and with the score being tied 2-2 between their other groups, this set would decide it all for who came out of the match in the best position. Coach Gore’s squad would find a way to get the victory.

“Obviously, the goal is to win, but we were moving some pieces around and playing some different people here and there,” Coach Gore said. “So, we are still trying to get a feel for who works well with the other person and where the pairs should be. It is still early in the season but improving. Obviously, the ultimate goal is winning, but making some improvements, learning how to win.”

The Sharks will face Bishop McLaughlin next week on March 19, while the Eagles will take on the Hurricanes two days later. The Green and Black will be looking for their first win of the season against the Seffner Christian Crusaders on March 19 as well.