GBHS girls locked, loaded for title run
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Photo courtesy of Athletesfeatsphotography.com 2007-08 GBHS girls varsity soccer team Of the 25 players on this year's Lady Dolphin varsity soccer squad, 17 played last year and nine of them started. They are (front row, from left): Carly Loehr, Bianca Takacs, Haley Gross, Brittny Hebert, Genna Tober, Kristen Barona and Heather Haney. Middle row (from left): Brittany Pyle, Lindsay Arnett, Lindsey Wright, Anne Preston, Kathy Franklin, Ashley Collins, Natalie Blair, Noelle Robles and Emily Tryon. Back (from left): Head Coach Sharon Kerby, Cayla Platt, Aubrey Curington, Ashley Schermerhorn, Alyssa Smith, Amanda Green, Jesse Vickrey, Jessica Majewski and assistant coach Peter Stephens. Not shown: Maggie Rodgers and Brynne Heatley.

Sharon Kerby looked down at her watch last week and noticed she was three minutes late for practice. When you've inherited the team she has, you can understand why she wanted to be there.

At age 24, some coaches have been in the profession for more than twice of Kerby's life and never get a chance that she has - to walk into a situation where her team, the Lady Dolphin soccer team, have a good shot of winning a state championship.

Kerby Heatley.

But that's what Kerby has - nine returning starters and 17 returning letterwinners off a team that lost in the 4A championship game a year before.

"Our goal this season, of course, is a state championship," said Kerby, who takes over the program from Eric Miles, who accepted a teaching and coaching position at The Community School in Naples.

Miles coached the team for five years, taking them to the state tournament his first year (2003) and to the championship game last February.

Gulf Breeze lost to Orlando Bishop Moore 2-1 in the championship game.

As is the case with most championship caliber teams, the Lady Dolphin players will have to give of themselves for the betterment of the team. One such example Kerby's seen is from junior Jesse Vickrey.

A forward by trade, Vickrey will play in the defense this season.

"I like her attitude back there," Kerby said. "It's the attitude of 'you're not going to beat me.'"

With Kristi Lee graduated (and playing at South Alabama) and Ashley Schermerhorn out until December as a result of back surgery, Kerby's looking for two more strong marking backs out of her 25-player squad.

Schermerhorn is one of two returning seniors on defense, along with Brittany Pyle. Fellow senior Lindsey Arnett will also play in the back, along with sophomore Brynne Heatley.

"(Schermerhorn) has really stepped up as a strong leader for us," Kerby said.

Junior Amanda Green, who missed about half of last season with a heart condition, has been cleared to play.

Genna Tober, the team's lone freshman, can also play a defender spot.

"The strength of our team is in the midfield," said Kerby, led by senior Noelle Robles. A fouryear starter, Robles has verbally committed to play at UWF with former teammate Kaley Morris.

Also in the midfield are juniors Alyssa Smith, Aubrey Curington and Cayla Platt.

The sophomore class of midfielders is led by state ODP player Maggie Rodgers. Bianca Takacs and Haley Gross, along with first year varsity players Brittny Hebert and Heather Haney can also play midfield.

Junior Emily Tryon, the leader of the Lady Dolphin cross country team, will play some midfield and defender when her season ends.

Leading the Lady Dolphin forward corps is junior Jessica Majewski, a three-year starter. Senior Natalie Blair, a transfer from PHS, can play up top, but can also play in the midfield.

Sophomores Kristen Barona and Carly Loehr will also play some forward. Junior Lindsey Wright, a member of the Lady Dolphin softball team, will also play some forward.

The Lady Dolphins open play Friday against Niceville, a 5A state semifinalist last year, at Brosnaham Park. As far as the expectations, Kerby knows they're there, but doesn't let it consume her.

"I try not to think about it at all. I plan to work this job like I live my life - one day at a time," Kerby said. "How we grow as players and as people is the most important thing."