Lakeland Wins Tournament

LAKELAND | George Jenkins and Lakeland both came in undefeated in three previous matches from two separate pools and squared off in the 4th Annual Lakeland Invitational Gold Championship Saturday afternoon.

The Dreadnaughts reigned supreme in a closely contested match 25-23, 27-25. 

Lakeland coach Crystal Ramsey praised her team's hard work and sweat in the best out of three matches.

"We work very hard to put into play what we do in practice," Ramsey said. "We try hard to prepare for our opponents and execute our game plan. I think my team executed its game plan."

Hard hitting sophomore Kali Boatwright nailed three kills down the stretch against Jenkins, which helped Lakeland score critical points late in the second game finishing with 15 kills overall. 

"She's (Boatwright) one of the best around," said Eagles' coach Lisa Bickerton. "If we can get a good block on her early, then we can get into her head but that didn't happen." 

Boatwright didn't allow the Jenkins' dig specialists to handle most of her power kills throughout the rivalry match. 

"They (the Eagles) are just another opponent," Boatwright said. "We have to just focus on our side of the court and take it one step at a time."

Tori Ellison made the winning kill in the second game after a hard fought battle against the Eagles. Senior and outside hitter Rachel Martin chalked up seven kills for Lakeland.

After all four games of the tourney, Boatwright made 41 kills and 37 digs to lead Lakeland. Rachel Martin had 35 kills and 32 digs while Alex Taylor contributed 27 digs and 91 assists; Sara Jayne Sutton contributed 61 digs for the Dreadnaughts. 

In its first two matches of Pool-A play on Friday, Lakeland defeated Durant, 2-1, and beat Newsome, 2-0. In the Saturday morning match, the Dreadnaughts swept Lake Howell, 2-0. 

"We brought some good playing from the East Coast tournament to here," Ramsey said. "That helped us to fine tune our execution these past couple of days."

With the wins, Lakeland moves to 16-6 overall. 

Against the Dreadnaughts, outside hitter Kayla Monsanto led the Eagles' charge throughout by adding 16 digs and eight kills. Senior Karla Thiele contributed eight kills and six digs for Jenkins.

In its first two matches of Pool-B play on Friday, George Jenkins handled Riverview, 2-0, and closed out Winter Haven, 2-0. In the Saturday morning match, the Eagles slid by the 2010 Class 1A state championship team Warner Christian, 2-1.

Jenkins is 15-5 overall and 6-2 in Class 7A, District 7. 

In the Silver Championship game, Riverview defeated Durant, 25-23 in both games..

The Bronze Championship game displayed Lake Howell over Winter Haven, 25-20 and 25-21. Ashley Dills made nine kills, 12 service points and eight digs for the Blue Devils. Katora Roberts had seven kills and two blocks; Alicia Burton made 21 receives and 20 digs. Ali Mann contributed six kills and 12 service points for Winter Haven.

Coach Tonya Wooten was sad to lose but grateful for the experience, which was the Blue Devils' first trip to the Lakeland Invitational.

"They (the Silver Hawks) wanted it more," Wooten said. "I'm very hopeful about the rest of the season. It's all about how you finish and this tournament was a good experience for us ‘cause now we know where we stand and how we can get better."

In its first match of Pool-B play on Friday, Winter Haven handled Warner Christian, 2-0, but lost to George Jenkins, 19-25 and 22-25. In the Saturday morning match, the Blue Devils were beat by Riverview, 2-0. Winter Haven moves to 11-6 overall.

In summary of the entire tournament, Ramsey was happy with her team's victory in all four matches and felt like the invitational was a success. 

"This is the most competitive this tournament has ever been," Ramsey said. "I think every team that was here could've won. Jenkins played a great match."