BRADENTON — There is volleyball tonight at Bayshore High, which is odd since the season has reached the district tournaments and the Bruins have already played one district tournament match.
In past years, today would be the day the Bruins turn in their uniforms and say good-bye to coach Ralph McElhiney. At least, that has been the routine for the past four years. One and done.
But not this year. This year the second-seeded Bruins face St. Petersburg Lakewood tonight in the semifinals of the Class 4A-District 10 tournament with the winner advancing not only to Thursday’s tourney final but also the 4A regional quarterfinals on Nov. 4.
“This is definitely very exciting,” senior Lilla Lukacs said Tuesday night after Bayshore swept St. Petersburg Dixie Hollins, 25-10, 25-9, 25-12, for their first win in a district tournament since 2004.
A win tonight and the Bruins (11-15) advance to the regionals for the first time since 1987.
“We’re certainly playing for it,” McElhiney said.
The Bruins find themselves in this position for two reasons: They are no longer in the same district with Venice and Manatee, and the players made a commitment after last season to play year-round.
“We worked hard to get to where we are,” senior Bethany Palmer said. “It wasn’t handed to us.”
The year-round commitment is the biggest key to the Bruins success. Every player plays club ball, which allows them to work on their skills in the high school offseason instead of letting them grow stale, Lukacs said.
And, the commitment to the year-round volleyball has led to an overall commitment to the Bruins program.
“Everybody has their heart into it,” Palmer said.
“We’re more focused,” Lukacs added. “Everybody wants it more.”
The Bruins made easy work of Dixie Hollins, scoring the first 11 points of the first game and leading big throughout all three games.
Palmer led the Bruins with 10 service points, including five aces. She had seven kills and 13 assists. Lukacs had six service points, seven kills and six digs. Ebony Moore had eight service points, six kills, an ace and a block.
Tonight’s winner faces the winner of the match between Braden River, the top-seed, and Seminole Osceola, which is also played tonight in the finals.
“Our real job is (tonight),” McElhiney said. “That’s when we have to turn it up and play our game.”
Lakewood has won the past four 4A District 10 titles, but Bayshore won the last match between the two in three games.
“This is our first chance (to reach the district finals),” Lukacs said. “And not only is it a chance, it’s a good chance.”
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