Plant Facing A Familiar Foe In Region Final
Published: Nov 9, 2007
ADVERTISEMENT
More from this channel:
Search for more information:
TAMPA - For three consecutive years, the Plant and Venice volleyball teams have met in the Class 5A state playoffs. Each year, without fail, the winner has advanced to the state championship.
When Plant won the region semifinal match last season, it went on to win the state championship. In 2005, Venice went on to win the state title after getting through Plant in the semifinals, and in 2004, beat Plant in the state final four only to lose in the state championship match.
In 2003, Plant moved from 4A to 5A but still won the state championship. That season, Venice played in a separate region and lost to Fort Myers, the eventual state runner-up, in the region final.
Like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the American League or the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC, Venice-Plant has become a famous postseason rivalry.
The No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the state meet Saturday at Plant (27-1) at 2 p.m. for a trip to the state final four. Also nationally recognized programs, the match is stacking up to be the biggest in Florida volleyball this season.
"They either make or break our season," said Plant coach Leanna Taylor, who is 1-2 in the postseason and 4-3 overall against Venice. "I have a lot of respect for [Venice coach] Brian Wheatley. He's a great coach, and I definitely have to do my best to go through him."
Coaches always say they don't look past any opponent, but Taylor knows her players have been thinking about Venice (27-3) since the season began.
"It's not verbally said, but it's in the back of our minds," she said.
For the players, playing Venice is the ultimate thrill.
"It's always exciting," Plant senior setter Kellie Catanach said. "We always prepare for them. Our school is so excited about it. We know our season comes down to them."
As an eighth-grader, sophomore sensation Maddie Martin said she attended the Plant-Venice region semifinal in 2005.
"I remember that game," Martin said. "I couldn't wait to play for Plant so I could play them."
Both programs are very familiar with each other. The Plant players said they can recite Venice's roster by memory and is positive the Indians can do the same.
"Two years ago, they took a test on us," Catanach said. "I was talking to [Venice player] Julie [Howlett] and she said, 'We had a book on you guys this thick that we had to study.'"
During this year's Tampa Bay Invitational at the University of Tampa, the teams did not play each other but intensely scouted one another. When they crossed paths, both sides tried to be as cordial as possible.
"It's a love-hate relationship," Plant junior outside hitter Danielle Erb said. "You're born into this. You're captivated by it."
Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.
