ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 4, 1996 TAG: 9601040008
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
Regardless of the animal honored in the Chinese new year, Radford High School volleyball standout Kim Kimbleton considers 1996 the Year of the Bobcat.
With five returning starters, including all-district performers Kimbleton and Stephanie Smith, Radford is in the best shape in years to push for the Three Rivers District volleyball crown.
"I think we have a very good chance to win the district this year," Kimbleton said. "We have a lot of starters back this year, and we've got a lot of experience on this team. It's going to be a tough district, but we have a chance."
Kimbleton enhances the Bobcats' shot at the title. The junior middle hitter has led Radford to a 5-2 start, which, according to Kimbleton, is just a sign of things to come.
"We beat Shawsville earlier this season, and that kind of gave us an idea as to just how good we can be," Kimbleton said. "We realized that because of our experience, we talk better and we run the plays all the way through. Experience lets us know what each other does best, and that will take us a long way this season."
Kimbleton's own volleyball experience began in the eighth grade, when she says she was drawn to the sport because of the action.
"I just loved the atmosphere, in particular the fast pace, of volleyball," Kimbleton said. "The best feeling in the world comes when everything in the game has gone right and the crowd is into it. It's one of the most exciting things I have ever done."
Her coach, Debbie Carlson, said Kimbleton has progressively improved while serving as a team leader.
"Kim is even stronger this season than she was last year," Carlson said. "She's a little bit shy at first, but when she makes a great kill or big block, she becomes very excited and fires up the team when she sees just what she is capable of. She really brings the team together."
Kimbleton has become so enamored of the sport that she has even tried to teach her brother some volleyball skills.
"A lot of times I'll just grab a ball and play with my brother," Kimbleton said. "I've been trying to teach him how to play so I can have someone to play volleyball with at home."
Serving and volleying against her brother is one thing, but matching up with Three Rivers District powerhouses Floyd County and Giles is another matter altogether.
Floyd County returns as the defending district champion, and Giles is considered the favorite in '96 because of six key returning players. But Kimbleton said the groundwork for this year's success was laid in performances against the two schools last season.
"I think we know we can compete with both teams because we were able to beat Giles last year and we almost beat Floyd," Kimbleton said. "This season, we're playing better as a team, and we've got our best shot to win the district since I've been here."
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: GENE DALTON/Staff. Radford High School volleyballby CNBstandout Kim Kimbleton: "I think we have a very good chance to win
the district this year.... We have a lot of starters back this year,
and we've got a lot of experience on this team. It's going to be a
tough district, but we have a chance." color.