Panthers come up short

SEFFNER — As the volleyball smacked the bottom of the net, Bradenton Christian volleyball team’s vehement comeback had fallen short.

After falling into an 0-2 hole, the Panthers fought back to force a decisive fifth game, but fell to Bayshore Christian School 22-25, 14-25, 25-23, 25-21, 12-15 Thursday in the championship game of the Class 1A-District 8 Tournament at Seffner Christian Academy.

In the first two games, BCS (22-5) couldn’t handle the Faith Warriors power at the net and lacked communication as Bayshore Christian won nine of the final 10 points of the first game and coasted after taking 12-8 lead in the second.

“We were really timid,” Panthers coach Greg Geraldson said. “We were not calling balls. We were getting our feet tangled. They are not playing with confidence that’s what I see. I know we can play better, so hopefully we will.”

With the loss, BCS travels to the winner of Sunrise Christian/Lakeland Victory Christian on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the opening round of the regional tournament.

Speaking of playing better, BCS put together a vigorous comeback attempt, taking command of the next two games.

The Panthers used accurate spikes and strong defense to get back into the game.

Outside hitter Chynna Ratner led the charge with 18 kills, Abbi Van Ostenbridge added 12 kills and 10 assists, and middle blocker Maria DeKuiper chipped in with 10 kills, seven blocks and three aces.

BCS, which switched from District 11 to District 8 this season, won one of three matches against the Faith Warriors in the regular season.

“Our team has good chemistry together,” Ratner said. “It’s just sometimes attitudes come up, and in the end, we usually pull through. But our team has the potential to win.”

Ratner said BCS might have taken the Faith Warriors lightly, because Bayshore Christian (12-13) was without its top hitter, Gabby Fernandez, who nursing a shoulder injury.

But the Faith Warriors had other players turn in career performances, winning their 14 consecutive district title.

Madison Schmitt had a career-high 24 kills and four blocks, and Valencia King added 16 kills, 21 digs and three blocks.

“We wanted to uphold a tradition,” Bayshore Christian coach Melanie Humenanski said. “Bradenton came in from their district as a champion, and we came in from our district as a champion, so you had two district champions fight for the district title. We knew it would be a tough match, and it was a great game.”