Prep volleyball: Lakewood Ranch not just happy to be in final four



photo by Tiffany Tompkins-Condie
Seniors Emily Ruple (left), Mariah Robertson (center) and Jordan Wopinski (right) helped the Mustangs make history this fall.

 The 2012 Lakewood Ranch volleyball team will never be forgotten.
Trailblazers are remembered forever, and the Mustangs are just that. They make the program's first final four appearance noon today when the Mustangs meet St. Augustine in a Class 6A state semifinal at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.
It's a big achievement. But the Mustangs are planning to do more than just show up today.
"We're not holding anything back (Tuesday)," said senior libero Jordan Wopinski.
Added senior hitter Mariah Robertson: "It's strictly business."
Lakewood Ranch nearly reached this point last year before falling to Tarpon Springs in the Region 3 final. The Mustangs have been striving toward the final four ever since.
"We felt like we had a really strong group coming back," said coach Perri Hankins. "The seniors have been great this year with their leadership and play on the court.
"After last year, we definitely at that moment made the goal that we're going to get to state this year."
Now, the goal is to win it.