Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 9, 1993 TAG: 9309100030
SECTION: HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
But that's OK.
It's a rebuilding year for the other four teams in the Roanoke Valley District, too. Every team in the district - including the Cougars - lost at least four starters to graduation.
"We're looking pretty good," third-year coach Regina Cecil said as Pulaski County prepared for today's opener at North Cross.
"We're young, though. We've got eight sophomores, but they're a tight-knit group. And once they get a little bit of experience on the floor, they are going to be pretty tough."
The Cougars have some experience already. Four players return from last season's squad that went 2-7 and finished fourth in the district.
Cheryl Cox, a 5-foot-5 setter/hitter, is the only senior back. Also returning are a trio of junior hitters: 5-8 Kelli Shouse, 5-5 Kelly Childress and 5-6 Kristi Childress.
Three sophomores are among the newcomers who are expected to see a lot of action this season. They are 5-6 Tatum Neely, 5-6 Rochelle Quesenberry and 5-5 Jessie Linkous. All are setter/hitters.
And most importantly, the Cougars' combination of experience and youth appears to be meshing.
"It's looking a lot better than we did at first," Shouse said of the team. "We've improved a lot."
Said Kelly Childress: "We're helping each other, we're talking more. We're working as a team. Last year, we sometimes went out there and did it our own way."
With its plethora of hitters, Pulaski County should be able to count on strong spiking and serving. The Cougars' lack of height could make setting and blocking difficult, however.
Defending champion Cave Spring and perennial contender Franklin County are expected to be the top teams in the district. Cecil says the Cougars should be able to improve on their fourth-place finish last season and finish in the middle of the pack.
But Cox won't be satisfied with that.
"I want a banner up there that says volleyball; there aren't any," Cox said, pointing at the gym wall where the school's district, regional and state champions are recognized. "We'd like to get the [volleyball] team up to where it is as successful as the football team."
The Cougars could earn a banner by winning the district regular-season championship or the RVD tournament Nov. 3-4 at Patrick Henry. Either title would yield a berth in the Northwestern Region tournament, scheduled for Nov. 13.
by CNB