By DAN HOEHNE
daniel.hoehne@newssun.com
LAKE PLACID - It came to an end a bit too soon and just a tad too suddenly Tuesday night.
Seeking their first regional win, and to extend their coach's career at least one more game, the Lady Dragons couldn't accomplish either in falling to the Marauders of Clearwater Central Catholic in three straight.
"I would have liked to have extended it a bit, at least," that head coach, Marilyn Jones said. "We've usually been able to go four games or so, but we just started out too slow tonight."
And against a team of the talent level of the Lady Marauders, starting out too slow can dig too big of a hole to climb back out of.
Yet, it wasn't so much a dominant first game by Clearwater, so much as that slow start, the hesitations, the back-on-their heels play of Lake Placid that told the tale.
After scoring the opening point of the night, the Dragons quickly fell back by 10-2, 15-5 and 24-12 scores before it ended at 25-13.
But it seemed the girls found their legs and the nerves subsided come the second set as they battled back from a 5-2 deficit to take a 6-5 lead.
Despite Clearwater regaining the lead and holding it, Lake Placid kept things within reach with Sierra Weaver, Kayla Summerfield and Marissa Baldwin scoring with kills.
The thorn in the Dragons side, however, six-foot hitter Mary Michael Toups, was racking up plenty of kills of her own and soon the 25-17 defeat was complete.
"She just had our number all night," Jones said of Toups dominance. "She had so many big kills at the net, I was relieved whenever she moved to the back row."
The third, and final set, played out somewhat similarly, with Lake Placid battling back from an early deficit to tie it at 7-7, and to get within one at 13-12.
But the Marauders marched to a seven-point run to take command and hold the margin for a 25-17 win.
" I wish we would have won, but in the end, every team but one will lose," senior Sierra Weaver said. "We just came up short, but we are very excited about earning the fifth straight district title for Coach Jones as she retires from coaching."
And while the requisite tears were shed, a mix of the loss and the departure of Jones after her long and successful tenure, it was the coach bringing the girls together one more time and leading the post-game chant and cheer.
"The girls played hard and have a lot to be proud of," Jones said. "They've been great to work with. I know I'll miss it, but I don't think it's quite hit me yet."
With her legacy secure, the foundation of success built and district championships now an annual expectation, she too will be missed - but not soon forgotten.
Friday, November 06, 2009 - www.newssun.com/FRI-11-6-LPVB