Sidelines

KUDOS
+ Sarasota Christian Volleyball 
The Sarasota Christian volleyball team defeated Cardinal Mooney 25-21, 25-17, 25-14 in its season opener Aug. 26. 

Anikka Jensen finished with 12 kills, three blocks and one ace to lead the way for the Lady Blazers. Briana Eddy had six kills and two aces. Heidi Miller added eight kills. Kenzie Lantz finished with two blocks and one ace. 

The Lady Blazers followed up their win with a second-place finish in the Southeast Tournament Aug. 30 and Aug. 31. 

Sarasota Christian defeated Palmetto (25-7, 25-14), Southeast (25-9, 25-19), Palmetto Ridge (24-26, 25-14, 15-6) and First Baptist Naples (21-25, 25-12, 15-5). The Lady Blazers lone loss came against Hagerty (12-25, 28-26, 12-15). 

Cheyenne Miller finished with 26 kills, eight aces and three blocks. Miller added 30 kills and nine aces. Jensen had 21 kills, seven aces and seven blocks. Lantz finished with 10 aces, three blocks and 63 assists.

+ Lady Thunder volleyball opens the season with a win
The Out-of-Door Academy volleyball team opened its regular season with a 3-0 victory over Gateway Charter Aug. 26.

Senior Natalie Buffett finished with 14 kills and five aces to lead the Lady Thunder in its 25-16, 25-15, 25-16 victory. Junior Charlotte Dixon added 25 assists and two aces. ODA finished with 12 aces on the night.

The Lady Thunder return to action Aug. 28, at the Tampa Bay HEAT.

+ ODA swings past Southeast
The Out-of-Door Academy boys golf team defeated Southeast in regular-season action Aug. 27.

The Thunder shot a combined 162 while the Seminoles didn’t post a team score due to only having three players.

Jon Eichenbaum shot 36 to lead the way for ODA. Nick Grano shot 40, followed by Francisco Marcano-Santo (44), Josh Silverman (48), John Vickery (54) and Marius Bschorer (55).

+ Sarasota youth sailors post top finishes
Several Sarasota Youth Sailing sailors posted impressive finishes at national and international championship regattas over the summer.

Nico Schultz and Ravi Parent won the F16 division of the US Youth Sailing Championship to earn a berth in the ISAF Youth World Championship July 12 through July 19, in Tavira, Portugal. The two also are members of the United States Sailing Olympic Development Team.

Nick Hernandez and Zack Jordan placed second at the Club 420 North American Championship July 20 through July 24, in Brant Beach, N.J.

The two also qualified for the US Sailing Youth Championships Aug. 11 through Aug. 14, in Detroit.

Game to Watch
FOOTBALL
SEPT. 5
Booker vs. Riverview
(7:30 p.m.)