A roundup of Sarasota and Manatee area high school sports for the week of Oct. 19-24.
TUESDAY
Volleyball
Region 3A-3
Cardinal Mooney 3, Countryside0: Dan Konczak could be considered a rookie, or at least he jokes he is one.
Konczak is a first-time head volleyball coach at Cardinal Mooney after eight years as an assistant at Bradenton Christian. Konczak was hired in June, making him the fourth coach the program has seen since 2020.
“It was up to me to figure out systems and processes,” Konczak said. “And we had a very hard learning curve when we started out...hopefully our systems and processes are starting to work.”
No. 2 seed Cardinal Mooney defeated No. 7 seed Countryside 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-10) at home in the Class 3A-Region 3 quarterfinals. Senior outside hitter Charlee Hermann had eight kills and five aces.
“She’s so valuable,” Konczak said of Hermann. “We have such a core group of seniors. That’s our lifeline…that’s our bloodline. What they bring to this team just can’t be measured. And Charlee’s a big part of that.”
Sophomore outside hitter Gracie Cody also contributed six kills.
Cardinal Mooney never gave Countryside, which outside of 1-0 leads to begin the first and third set, only managed an 8-7 lead in the second. Otherwise, Countryside had to fight through early deficits.
“We knew coming in, from now on, every game could be our last,” Hermann said. “And we didn’t let it make us nervous. We didn’t let it make us anxious. We played our game, so I’m really proud of that.”
Leading 11-10, Cardinal Mooney won the next six of seven points capped with an Abby Johnson ace. With a 17-11 advantage, Countryside won the next two points, but then, Mooney won five straight thanks to senior middle blocker Samara da Silva, who had two kills and a block. Cody ended the first set with a kill.
In the second set, Mooney struggled to breakaway early. Countryside led 8-7, but Hermann supplied two quick kills to begin a seven point run. With a 14-8 advantage, the two teams battled for the next points before Mooney strung five more points together.
Leading 22-12, junior middle blocker Tensley Thrower recorded a kill and Hermann added two more after.
“We’ve grown so well,” Hermann said. “We are so senior heavy, but we are such a brand new team. We only have three starting returners. So I think the growth of adjusting to what a varsity’s schedule and varsity competition has really shown. I think we’re so much more confident and assured. We’ve grown so much more in the leadership.”
Cardinal Mooney took a 15-3 lead to begin the third set. As Countryside worked for any point, Hermann strung together four straight aces. Cardinal Mooney continuted to dominate before Hermann recorded the final kill to win the match.
Cardinal Mooney will play Bishop Verot at home on Saturday at 2 p.m., the last time Konczak’s "lifeline" will be play in their gym.
“We know we got to bring everything,” Konczak said. “And hopefully we have enough when the day’s all done that our season doesn’t end. But that’s where we’re at now. It’s do or die.”
— Emma Moon
Region 1A-3
Bradenton Christian 3, Classical Prep 0: The Panthers won 25-12, 25-4, 25-22. Bradenton Christian will host All Saints' Academy on Saturday in a semifinal.
All Saints' Academy 3, Saint Stephen's 0: The Falcons lost 25-20, 25-20, 25-21.
Region 2A-3
Canterbury 3, Out-of-Door 0: The Cougars won 25-23, 25-22, 25-14.
Girls Golf
Sarasota County Championship: Out-of-Door claimed the team title with a 329, followed by Venice (369) and Riverview (380). ODA's Brooklyn Cullen won medalist honors with an even-par 72 while ODA's Rachel Runnalls and Pine View's Athena Li tied for second with matching 79s. Venice's Camryn Davis was fourth with an 81 while Wellen Park's Hannah Ryu and Riverview's Hayden Maniglia tied for fifth with 86s.
MONDAY
Boys Golf
Manatee County Championship: Lakewood Ranch won the 40th Annual Manatee County Championship by three strokes over Saint Stephen's 289-292. Lakewood Ranch's second team placed third with a 314 and Parrish fourth with 323. This is Lakewood Ranch's 22nd victory out of last 26 county championships.
Individually, Mustangs sophomore Trey Susa won the event with a 1-under 70, with teammate Declan Young and Parrish's Owen Paoli finishing as runners-up with 71s. Saint Stephen's golfers Andy Dai, Eddie Gu and Chase Nicks all tied for fourth with matching 72s.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota, Manatee Roundup: Volleyball regionals start, golf champs crowned