Posted on Tue, May. 06, 2008

Hal Knowles has been a symbol of stability for the St. Brendan baseball team for more than three decades.

Knowles, Miami-Dade County's longest tenured baseball coach, announced his retirement this week after 32 years coaching the Sabres.

Knowles, 57, is the only coach in the history of St. Brendan's baseball program. Knowles said his longtime assistants, Joe Croke and Ray Del Toro, will likely take his place next season.

''I've had a great time with the kids for so many years there and the staff at the school has always been supportive,'' Knowles said. ``Coaching takes up so much of your time year-round. I think it's time I take some time to relax and play some golf.''

During his career, Knowles led the Sabres to a 441-382-4 record, including 16 winning seasons, a district championship and three regional playoff appearances.

The highlight came in 1983 when Knowles guided the Sabres to the Class 3A state championship. Knowles will remain at the school as a physical education teacher.

VOLLEYBALL

Hialeah-Miami Lakes boys' volleyball coach Alex Plaza has had a lot of kids claim they can play volleyball over the past 12 years, but no one has proved it more quickly than outside hitter Angel Dache.

Before the season, luck was in the cards for Plaza, when the junior transfer student from Cuba told the coach he had played volleyball before and wanted to play on his team.

''Angel said he could play,'' said Plaza, who was doubtful about the junior's talent level. ``I'd never seen him play -- I would say he's our Michael Jordan or LeBron James, he can do everything.''

In very little time, Dache has become the talk of the town, with several coaches and players from other teams complimenting his play.

''All the coaches and kids say good things about him -- a real impact player,'' Plaza said.

With Dache leading the team, the HML boys' volleyball team has a chance to do what no other volleyball team, boys or girls, has ever done in Trojans history -- win a state championship.

''It's more than just Angel -- we can't win with just him but he's made the major impact,'' Plaza said. ``He's helped our whole team mature -- it's a team effort, everyone does little things for us to win.''

HML (22-3), beat Pace 25-20, 25-14, 25-21 to advance to the state play-in game Tuesday night against Cooper City.

-- JUSTIN AZPIAZU

ELSEWHERE

• Former American High defensive back Al Phillips signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets this week. Phillips was a three-time All-Northeast Conference selection for Wagner University in New York. He finished with 17 interceptions for his career and led the conference his senior season with seven interceptions and 18 passes defended.

• Krop senior Gino Ramirez signed a letter of intent to play tennis with Flagler College in St. Augustine.

• Killian senior Joelle Warring signed to play volleyball for Florida Tech. Warring helped the Cougars to the state final four the past three seasons and was The Miami Herald's Class 6A-5A Player of the Year last season. Middle hitter Nicole Molander-Barraza, a two-time All-Dade selection, signed with St. Thomas University.

• Palmer Trinity's Gregg Steinman will play baseball next season for the Moravian College (Bethlehem, Pa.) Greyhounds. Steinman was a first team All-Conference selection in the South Florida Baseball Conference and was the home run derby runner up in the 2008 Florida Collegiate National High School Invitational Tournament in Sanford.

• Three Miami Country Day athletes signed national letters of intent to play at the college level in different sports.

• Guard Christine Chancy signed to play at Mount Holyoke College in the fall. Chancy made The Miami Herald's first-team All-Dade for basketball. The senior averaged 15 points and 5.2 assists per game.

• Andrea Estes will be playing softball at Eckerd College next season. Estes won 16 games with a 3.75 ERA and batted .349.

• Carlos Cannon signed with Iona College to play water polo in the fall. The senior lead the team with 71 goals and 20 assists.

BASEBALL

FRIDAY

REGION 4-3A SEMIFINAL

CHAMINADE 4, FLA. CHRISTIAN 3 (8)

Chaminade 300 000 01 --4 8 2 Florida Chr. 010 110 00 --3 6 1

WP: Joe Hone (8-4). LP: Hernandez. Top performers: Joe Hone pitched three innings of shutout relief and struck out five. He also had an RBI. Matt Springer was 3 for 3 with a double, home run and three RBI, including the game-winner. Mike Bueker had two hits, two runs and two stolen bases. Records: Cham. 17-13.