Niceville wins Noles' tourney

By DONNIS WILKIE

CORRESPONDENT

Published: Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 1:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 9:48 p.m.

BRADENTON - It wasn't the Super Bowl and she had no pre-arranged endorsement deals, but Niceville High setter Jackie Mailoto still had plenty to say Saturday after her team won the inaugural Lady Noles Invitational at Southeast.

"We're going to ... Busch Gardens!"

The eight-hour ride from the Florida Panhandle was part volleyball, part fun for Niceville (22-1), but the Eagles were all business in a 25-20, 25-15 victory over New Port Richey River Ridge in the championship match.

"It was 100 percent volleyball all the way until we won," said Mailoto, a 5-foot-7 junior. "After that, it's 100 percent fun."

Mailoto was selected the tournament's Most Valuable Player after passing out 21 assists and committing only one error against the Knights (20-4). Ijanae Holman and Cat Houston combined for 15 kills and four blocks, and libero Jenna Hassell made the all-tourney team.

Seven local teams dotted the 16-team field. Host Southeast (15-8), ranked No. 4 in the Herald-Tribune's Super 7, was the only one to reach the Gold Division semifinals, sweeping through its three pool-play matches and placing fourth after losing to River Ridge and Palm Harbor University.

Hannah Bartges had 10 kills and five aces in the Seminoles' three Saturday matches, while Katie DiGirolamo (eight kills), Amanda Garofalo (eight blocks, six kills) and Alyssa Hernandez (22 assists, three aces, one block) played key roles. All are juniors, except Garofalo -- a 6-foot senior who was the only local player on the all-tourney team.

Riverview (13-7) bowed to Palm Harbor University 26-24, 25-17 Saturday morning and was relegated to the Silver Division, where the Rams placed seventh after beating Charlotte (4-16). Cardinal Mooney (15-7), fifth in the Super 7, won the Bronze Division (ninth place) with victories over Clermont East Ridge and West Palm Beach Summit Christian.

North Port and Palmetto were each 2-3 in the two-day tournament, while Booker was 1-4.

"My goal was to provide a really competitive venue for good teams," said Southeast coach Carmine Garofalo, who proclaimed the event a success. "We want to make this the strongest tournament in the area."