Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 10, 1995 TAG: 9511100080
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
So maybe what happened at Hollins' first practice this season wasn't so bad. At least there was plenty of equipment available. The only problem was there weren't many women around to use it. First-year coach Karen J. Harvey was greeted by four players when practice began in late October.
``Interesting,'' was how freshman point guard Tanya Holmes described it Thursday at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference women's basketball media day.
``It's always discouraging when four people show up,'' said sophomore forward Amy Worley, a former standout on two of Blacksburg High School's Group AA championship teams.
Fortunately for Hollins, Harvey was there. The ODAC's 1991 player of the year at Roanoke College arrived on campus late in August, a few weeks after former coach Kellie Kennedy took an assistant's position at Richmond.
In a little more than two months, Harvey has the program up and running smoothly.
``She's been a leader in the conference,'' said Lynda Calkins, Hollins' athletic director. ``She's getting the word out about Hollins.''
Interest was sparked Monday night when the team scrimmaged at Ferrum. Hollins actually led at the midway point before losing by 10. Calkins said she never has had as many phone calls after a game, however, than after that one. ``People know something is happening at Hollins,'' she added.
One of those things is the squad is growing. Holmes, Worley, junior Sara Tweedy and freshman Angie Johnson were there the first day playing - what else? - two-on-two. Now the numbers have grown to nine, with scorekeeper Julie Zalenka filling in for five-on-five drills.
A few players did not return, but some did. When she still was looking for bodies, Harvey asked Katherine Sears, a former player, to come out. ``I was like, `Why aren't you playing?''' Harvey said. ``She ended up coming out.''
Kennedy's recruits didn't bail out, either. Holmes, from Northside High School, and Johnson, a graduate of James River High School, were two of her prizes. When Kennedy left, Holmes ``was mad at first. Then I decided she should do what she wants to do.''
Holmes still wanted to play at Hollins, and Harvey is happy she did. Harvey coached Holmes in AAU ball and has noticed great improvement since the summer.
``Having her out there is like having an assistant coach,'' Harvey said. ``To say that about a freshman is really great.''
Kennedy was the first Hollins coach to actively recruit. Harvey will be the second. After playing and coaching at William Byrd and coaching at Patrick Henry, she has both feet in the local talent pool.
They've got plenty of basketballs these days. Harvey's job will be to keep getting the players. If that happens, the first winning season in the program's 31 years could come sooner than many expect.
``Ever since I played in the ODAC, I thought Hollins could be better,'' Harvey said. ``I feel like I have a challenge ahead of me, but it's not an insurmountable challenge.''
by CNB