By Kyle LoJacono
The Wharton volleyball team navigated through the two-day Harvest Tournament Sept. 14 and 15 with a perfect 5-0 record to claim the title for the second straight year.
The Wildcats (10-0) were able to sneak by a determined Wiregrass Ranch (7-4) squad 28-26, 25-19 to repeat as tournament champions. Bulls coach Mindy Kantor said her team finished last at the eight-team event last year.
“The teams that came in were much improved from a year ago,” said Wharton coach Eric Barber. “I mean Wiregrass is like a different team, so we’re seeing the quality of play in just about every team step up this year, which is nice to see. They made us work.”
The championship was the fourth match of the day for both squads, but neither team looked out of gas in the back-and-forth contest.
Wiregrass Ranch had leads of 18-12 and 21-16 in the first set, but Wharton roared back to win 28-26. Wildcats senior setter Ashton Stocker said the ability to pull through a hotly contested match shows how they are growing as a team.
“We can bounce back and are actually battling in a tight match,” Stocker said. “We don’t get down on ourselves. We learn to pick each other up and keep playing the game.”
The second set was almost the complete reverse, with Wharton running out to a 7-0 lead. The Bulls shook off the slow start to storm back and close the score to 23-19.
“They didn’t give up,” Kantor said. “They fought from 7-0 down, and after we took a timeout they regrouped. … They bounce back. I’ve got eight strong juniors on this squad, and they’re all leaders. We had phenomenal play in this tournament, and I’m proud of all of them.”
Back-to-back points by the host Wildcats ended the comeback, the decisive tally coming on a kill by senior outside hitter Caci Andreychuk.
“One thing that we really tried to focus on is having that poise so that in those tight matches you’re able to pull through,” Barber said. “We have young girls, and they grew up a bit tonight.”
Wharton freshman libero Chanelle Hargreaves had 12 digs in the finals. Andreychuk and sophomore middle hitter Avery Day led Wharton with five kills each.
Day, who is in her first season on the varsity squad, also recorded four blocks in the championship match.
“I was so excited when I saw that last point fall in because I’ve never really won a title like that before,” Day said. “It’s a really good feeling.”
Day was averaging 1.5 kills per set entering the tournament. Barber said they wanted to get Day and fellow middle Lindsey Schaible, a freshman, more involved in the offense.
“That was kind of a focus in this weekend, and I thought we did,” Barber said. “We executed that plan, and we really want to develop that middle attack.”
Day said Stocker’s setting was the reason she was able to be successful hitting in the title match.
“She’s amazing,” Day said. “I’ve known her for awhile, and it was just one of those nights where she put the ball where I was able to get good swings.”
Stockers, who had 12 assists and two blocks in the finals, said she has complete confidence setting anyone on the frontline.
“We’ve got timing down, and I can go to any of them at any time,” Stocker said. “People think the ball is always going to Caci because she’s amazing, so they try and cover her. Being able to spread the ball around really helps us.”
Stocker attended Wiregrass Ranch for two seasons before transferring to Wharton last year. She said almost all of the Bulls are still on the team from when she attended the Wesley Chapel school.
“I’m still friends with them,” Stocker said. “I love their coach and their players, so it was fun to get to play against them again. It was good competition.”
Wiregrass Ranch junior outside hitter Grace Olsen led all players with seven kills in the championship match, six in the first set. The Bulls, who entered the event 3-3, advanced to the finals by defeating Freedom, Riverview and Brandon in straight sets before beating Strawberry Crest 25-20, 25-12 in the semifinals.
“They’ve been working together this whole year and have come so far so fast,” Kantor said. “We’ve got a good season ahead.”
Wharton swept Zephyrhills, Strawberry Crest and King in pool play before getting by Riverview 25-22, 22-25, 15-9 in the other semifinal.
Wiregrass Ranch played at Hudson Sept. 17, but results were not available by press time. The Bulls host Fivay Sept. 19 before traveling to Class 7A-District 9 rival Chamberlain Sept. 20. Wharton hosts Class 8A-District 7 rival Durant Sept. 19. All matches start at 7:30 p.m.
