Pirates claim first district crown

ST. PETERSBURG — They waited years to throw their hands around a district championship trophy. So what was a few more games?

Braden River’s volleyball team outlasted St. Petersburg Lakewood during Thursday’s Class 4A-District 10 championship, winning 3-2 and clinching the team’s first-ever district title.

Judging by the loud team hug at midcourt, it was well worth the wait.

“I can’t even describe it,” said senior Regina Aluise.

The Pirates (21-6) have become experts in waiting. Thursday marked their third straight appearance in a district championship match, but they had come up short both times, including last year’s heartbreaker against Arcadia DeSoto, where Braden River won the first two games but dropped the next three.

There was no let down this time. After falling 25-17 in the opener, the Pirates won Games 2 (25-17) and 3 (25-16) before Lakewood (14-9) forced a finale by winning Game 4 (25-19).

The Pirates, however, rolled in Game 5, cruising to a 15-5 victory and forcing a raucous celebration with a cluster of schoolmates who made the trip over the Sunshine Skyway.

“I totally didn’t expect it to be easy,” said Braden River coach Steve Haugh, “coming into their house.”

Winners of four straight district titles — all while competing in Class 5A — the Spartans were powered by sophomore Berkley Whaley, who vanquished Bayshore with 22 kills during Wednesday’s semifinal. The powerful Whaley added 27 on Thursday, but Braden River was able to get hands on some of her attempts and countered offensively attack powered by Lauren Powell (nine kills).

Brittany Jaco added nine, Allison Martin had seven, Kaleigh Jaco had six and Courtney McDevitt had five.

Aluise added 38 kills.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy (Thursday),” Aluise said, “but oh, it was worth it.

“We knew (the Spartans) weren’t going to go away after we won those two games.”

It was a watershed moment for Braden River, which didn’t win its first volleyball game until its second year of existence in 2006.

“I’m really proud of the girls. The seniors wanted this more than anything,” Haugh said.

The Pirates’ season is far from over — they’ll appear in their third straight regional quarterfinal 7 p.m. Wednesday when they face Ruskin Lennard, the runner-up out of District 9.

This time, however, the Pirates will be hosting.

After all, they’re the district champs.

“It feels so good,” Aluise said.