Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 6, 1994 TAG: 9412010017
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But when Student Council president and honor student Armistead Lemon hits the books, her straight-on approach inspires her teammates and leaves her coach gushing.
``Armistead is just a fantastic kid,'' North Cross volleyball coach Donna Satterwhite said. ``She's a great student, president of the student body ... Every coach dreams of having a player like her.''
It doesn't hurt that Lemon can play volleyball, either. A tri-captain of the 8-1 Raiders, Blue Ridge Conference champions the last two years, Lemon is a steady - if not spectacular - influence on the team.
Lemon is a three-year starter and last season was named to the all-Blue Ridge Conference tournament team.
``Armistead is very consistent player, but she's not flashy,'' said Satterwhite, who is in her 24th year at North Cross , and in her 20th season of coaching volleyball.
Satterwhite's teams have won seven conference titles, and two years ago she was named Timesland volleyball coach of the year.
``[Lemon's] left hand fools a lot of people,'' her coach said. ``She has a unusual motion that allows her to hit the ball at a steep angle.''
``I think it looks funny to other teams,'' Lemon said. ``But I do get an angle on the ball that other people don't.''
Lemon is not tall by volleyball standards. ``I'm 5-4 and that's pushing it,'' she said. ``I can jump okay. I don't have the power that some people do, but all-round, I'm pretty solid.''
The other North Cross captains, seniors Blair Calvert and Heather Perry, are four-year starters who bring their own strengths to the team.
Calvert, at 5-9, is a premier net player, and Perry ``is one of the best setters in the Roanoke Valley,'' Satterwhite said. Four other seniors are on this year's squad.
Going into Tuesday's match against Holy Cross, the Raiders had beaten five conference opponents in addition to three Group AAA schools, Cave Spring, Pulaski and William Fleming.
North Cross' only loss was a rematch with Cave Spring last Saturday. The Knights prevailed in five games, ending the Raiders' undefeated season. The decisive game was relatively close, as Cave Spring won 15-12. In the overall match, the Raiders outscored the Knights 65-63.
``Cave Spring had more height and good blocking,'' Satterwhite said.
While Satterwhite's style is clearly positive, occasionally she must be a disciplinarian. Lemon's reaction again sets a good example, Satterwhite said.
``Armistead is a hard worker and she's a supporter of what I say, even if it's unpopular to do so,'' Satterwhite said. ``In that respect, she's a great team leader.''
Lemon's favorite sport is an individual one - tennis. ``That's my love,'' Lemon said. ``Both my parents play, and I've been playing since I was eight.''
Between March and May, Lemon plays the No.1 position on the North Cross team. Last spring she went undefeated, winning the conference championship. Lemon's 15-month younger sister, Anne, also plays tennis and volleyball for the school.
``Tennis at North Cross is not very competitive,'' Lemon admitted. ``It's not like the public schools.''
In 1994, North Cross played Group AA schools Blacksburg and Salem, however, and individually, Lemon was victorious.
Lemon's tennis game has developed under the instruction of Fred Rawlings, head pro at Roanoke Country Club.
In her under-18 age group, Lemon is ranked No.20 in Virginia and No.28 in the Mid-Atlantic region. She won a summer tournament in Lynchburg, and won three matches and advanced to the semifinals of a state tournament in Virginia Beach.
Lemon's dream is to play tennis at Washington & Lee.
``Pretty much every one here [at North Cross] plays two sports,'' Lemon said. ``I think I'll focus on one sport in college.''
Before Lemon retires from competitive volleyball, however, she wants to help lead her team to a third consecutive conference title, and a strong showing in the state tournament, which North Cross will play host to on Nov.12.
by CNB