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Player Serves Up A Strong Season

Tribune photo by JOHN CEBALLOS

Senior Lindsey Rankin prepares to serve during the East Bay High School volleyball team's practice. She has been a member of the varsity squad for the past three years and has also played on the school's soccer team for the last three years. Tribune photo by JOHN CEBALLOS.

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: October 8, 2008

GIBSONTON - Lindsey Rankin didn't start playing volleyball until she was a seventh-grader at Eisenhower Middle School, but she hasn't stopped since.

"The thing I was really into was soccer, but I was always really tall, so a couple of people told me I should try out for volleyball," Rankin said.

Now Rankin is a senior at East Bay High and has been a member of the volleyball program for four years, playing for the junior varsity squad in her freshman year the varsity team the rest of her high school career.

"She's an outstanding athlete and a very good role model," said Jessica Miller, coach. "She's number two in her class and on the court she's very composed."

Off to a 2-7 start this season, Rankin, an outside hitter, maintains the team has been more competitive than its record indicates.

"We've had a tough season, but I feel like we've played pretty well in some games that we've lost," Rankin said.

She hopes to remedy that situation over the next few contests, which will pit the Indians against several familiar opponents, including an Oct. 7 home match versus Riverview High.

"We have a couple of games coming up that I feel we can win," Rankin said. "They're at home and they're rivalry games - we usually get a little more pumped up for those."

Once volleyball season wraps up, Rankin plans to head back to the soccer field this winter. She's been a member of East Bay's soccer team for three years and has been playing the sport since age 5.

She hopes to play intramural soccer collegiately next year. Rankin wants to attend the University of Florida and study pharmacy.

"I have a couple of friends who are hopefully going to be going there, but right now I just want to enjoy my senior year."

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Lindsey Rankin

AGE: 17

SCHOOL: East Bay High School

GRADE: 12th

SPORTS: Volleyball and soccer

FUTURE PLANS: Wants to attend the University of Florida and study pharmacy.

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

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