PALM HARBOR UNIVERSITY LADY ‘CANES (2-0) at EAST LAKE EAGLES (1-0)

When:  Tuesday, August 30, 2016, 7:30 P.M.

Where:  East Lake High School, 1300 Silver Eagle Drive, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688

TV:  BHSN (Channel 47 and HD 1147)

Coaches:  PALM HARBOR UNIVERSITY- Dexter Rogers (2nd  Season at Palm Harbor University)  EAST LAKE- Matt Burns (2nd  Season at East Lake)

How they match up:

The Palm Harbor University Lady ‘Canes are the Class 7A District 10 favorite, with most of their core players returning from a team that came up just short of its first trip to the state semifinals.  The Lady ‘Canes return four of their six starters with a hunger to earn their ninth straight trip to the regional tournament.  Senior outside hitter Julia Angelo (259 kills in ’15-‘16) is joined on the outside by her promising young sister, sophomore Jessica Angelo.  If you thought that was the only set of siblings you have to deal with, think again.  Senior ride side hitter Emma Strong (154 kills, 278 digs in ’15-‘16) works well with her talented sister, setter Abby Strong (645 assists in ’15-‘16).  Sophomore Zeena Khazendar, junior Kylie Stojak, and senior Lindsey Bauer round out one of the best starting rotations in the state.

East Lake has won just one set over the Lady ‘Canes in the past six matches, but the Eagles have enough skilled players in place to challenge PHU in the district standings this season.  Senior outside hitter Danielle Ballou (225 kills, 74 blocks in ’15-’16) has been tremendous moving from the middle to the pins and could be one of the elite players in the area.  Senior right side hitter Jordan Duffy (122 kills in ’15-‘16) was outstanding in an opening win over district rival St. Petersburg, while the rest of the team feeds of the positive energy of senior setter Bailey Morey (581 assists in ’15-’16).  Senior Gillian Benoit (103 kills in ’15-’16), senior Tatiana Falk, junior Kayce Rhoden, and junior Jessie Hansen will also play key roles in the Eagles starting rotation.

Three Facts to know:

1.  INTERNATIONAL LEADER- Palm Harbor University head coach Dexter Rogers played for the U.S. national team from 1992-1996.  He won a silver medal at the 1995 Pan Am games and a bronze medal in the 1994 World Championships.  Rogers would have been a member of the 1996 Olympic team in Atlanta but couldn’t serve in his role as an alternate because he was recovering from shoulder surgery.  

2.  SENIOR SENDOFF- East Lake head coach Matt Burns has his senior class in mind for his number one team goal this season:  a win over Palm Harbor University.  All of the Eagles seniors are winless against the Lady ‘Canes.  East Lake’s last victory over PHU came in the regional semifinals on November 6, 2012.

3.  THE BEST NEVER REST- Palm Harbor University looked dominant in a pair of straight set wins to start the season, but Coach Rogers thinks there’s always room for improvement. This week he told his team, “we’re 2-0, but we work like we’re 0-2.”