Durant keeps cool, downs Steinbrenner in volleyball opener

In their first year of existence, Steinbrenner High School miraculously won a district volleyball title and enjoyed a surprising post-season run. But heading into year two, the days of sneaking up on teams are over. This fall, Hillsborough county volleyball teams are circling the Warriors on their schedule.

Count the Durant Cougars as one of them.

In front of a capacity crowd in Lutz on Tuesday night, the Cougars showed poise, power, and precision, defeating Steinbrenner 25-22, 25-23, 25-21.

The Cougars were led by senior Alison Wade, who pounded out 12 kills. Senior Kerrie Reinhardt added 9 while junior Taylor Hackemack, a Mississippi State recruit paced the attack with 25 assists. Defensively, senior libero Katlyn Messick was all over the court posting 18 digs. For Steinbrenner, senior Kristen Liguori dominated the net at times, leading the Warriors with 15 kills.

Most importantly, the Cougars bent but simply would not break. Trailing late in games two and three before an exuberant pro-Steinbrenner crowd, the front line of Reinhardt, Wade and Hackemack never panicked and scored the key points when they mattered most.

"I thought they stayed composed," Durant coach Jeff Davis said."They kept it together and they hit the right shots at the right time."

Meanwhile Steinbrenner takes the loss, but coach Staci Elias said there were plenty of positives to build on.

For highlights and post game reaction, click on the link above.