Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 1, 1991                   TAG: 9102280142
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

BLACKSBURGS VOLLEYBALL SQUAD PLAYS PAST ITS OWN EXPECTATIONS

The Indians have gone far beyond their preseason hopes. For the first time in five years they will be playing in the state tournament.

"We didn't have a lot of varsity experience, but we had a lot of volleyball experience," coach Susan Goad said. "I expected a lot from this team."

The combination of three seniors who were reserves, five juniors who played on last year's unbeaten junior varsity squad, and a pair of sophomores has worked well as Blacksburg posted a 18-4 record.

"We work well together, we don't argue," explained 5-foot-5 senior setter Sharon Howard. "If everyone is getting along, that has a lot to do with [the team] playing well. And everyone gets along."

However, it took a while for all the pieces to fall into place. Finally, after a close, three-game loss to eventual Region III champion Salem on Jan. 7, the Indians realized their potential. Salem had defeated Blacksburg easily when the teams met to open the season just a month before.

"After Christmas break, everyone realized we could [do well]," said senior LaTonya Eaves, a 5-3 outside hitter. "Before that, we weren't really sure."

After that loss, the Indians did not lose again until they fell to perennial power John Battle in the finals of the Region IV tournament.

"I don't think so," said Goad when asked if the loss would have a negative impact on the team's preparation for the state tournament. "It will make them want to play hard, make them want to show they really can win. Anyway, it might work to our advantage and make them want to work harder."

The team already knows what it will take to fare well in the state tournament: consistency on offense.

"If we get the passes up and the setters get good sets, we'll do well," said 5-11 senior middle blocker Shaye Strager. "It all depends on the first pass. But we've been doing really well."

Blacksburg meets Poquoson (13-4), the top seed from Region I, at 5 p.m. Friday at Handley High in Winchester. The semifinals and finals are Saturday afternoon.

Joining Howard, Eaves and Strager in the starting lineup at the state tournament will be three juniors: 5-4 outside hitter Suzie Schneider, 5-5 setter Jennifer Boyle, and 5-11 middle blocker Jodi Skurupey. The top sub is another junior, 5-10 hitter Melissa Quesenberry.