Sidelines

Kudos
+ Lakewood Ranch Volleyball
The Lakewood Ranch High volleyball team went undefeated to win the Manatee County Volleyball Championship Sept. 26 and Sept. 27, at Braden River High.

The Lady Mustangs beat two-time defending county champion Manatee 25-22, 25-22 to earn its first county championship since 2007.

Senior hitter Nicole Grant was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Senior setter Courtney Rapp joined Grant on the all-tournament team.

Grant had 11 kills in the championship. Layne Thompson had seven kills, and Rapp had 23 assists.

+ Lakewood Ranch gym opens new facility
Lakewood Ranch Gymnastics celebrated the grand opening of its new $1.8 million facility Sept. 20.

Joining Lakewood Ranch Gymnastics in the celebration was U.S. Olympic gold medal gymnast Aly Raisman, who greeted visitors and signed autographs.

During the event, guests enjoyed open gym playtime and exhibitions by Lakewood Ranch team gymnasts.

David and Laura Parraga, who both have an extensive gymnastics background, opened Lakewood Ranch Gymnastics in May 2011.

+ Cougars suffer first loss
The Cardinal Mooney football team fell to Tampa Catholic 20-7 in non-district action Sept. 26.

It was the Cougars’ first loss of the season.

Quarterback Reese Vita connected with Blair Perry for a 23-yard touchdown in the second quarter for Cardinal Mooney’s lone score.

Cardinal Mooney will return to action Oct. 10 versus St. Pete Catholic.

+ ODA tees off in tri-match
The Out-of-Door Academy golf team participated in a tri-match with Bradenton Christian and Canterbury Sept. 23.

ODA scored 163 points to finish second behind Bradenton Christian (148). Jon Eichenbaum shot 38 to lead the way for the Thunder. Evan Murphy, shot 41 followed by Max Coutsolioutsos (42), Josh Silverman (42), Francisco Marcano-Santos (43) and Nick Grano (49).

+ Golfers win championship
Three high school golfers captured the boys 13-15 division of the Florida State Golf Championship in mid-August, at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

Kyle Jarrett, Max Coutsolioutsos and Ryan Kinkead shot a combined 286 to win the tournament. All three golfers train at the Golf Academy at Lakewood Ranch under Jon Bullas.

Game to Watch
FOOTBALL
OCT. 2
Braden River at Sarasota (7:30 p.m.)