THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 25, 1994 TAG: 9408230149
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, COMPASS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
THANKS IN PART to ESPN2 and NBC's Sports Saturday you can watch it almost every weekend.
And now it's coming to Norfolk.
Volleyball - high school style.
Minus the sand and surf, these athletes will be generating excitement on the hardcourts indoors this fall.
``I think this is a great area for volleyball,'' said Joanie Murphy, head coach at Granby. ``There is a lot of beach volleyball and clubs in the Beach area, so I think it will be great here.''
However, there were rumblings in the halls that the original decision to add volleyball as opposed to indoor track was met with a lot less enthusiasm, mainly because many felt that indoor track would have drawn more participation.
Nobody would confirm the rumors, but Murphy did say she had heard them.
``I'm glad they chose volleyball,'' Murphy said. ``I don't know what went into the decision, but as far as facilities go, I don't think many schools have an adequate place for indoor track, so that could have been a reason.''
Indoor track would also have run during the winter, not the fall, and would have had to compete with basketball for participants.
``Basketball really rules as the sport in the winter,'' Murphy said. ``I don't know how that would have worked out.''
This isn't to say that indoor track will never return to Norfolk.
Ten years ago, it was the victim of budget cuts in the school district, but assistant school superintendent George Raiss expects it may return in a couple of years.
``We weighed that against volleyball for this season and elected to start with girls volleyball,'' Raiss said. ``Indoor track may come back soon too though.''
Boys volleyball will be added next year.
With the decision made and practice underway, the attention can move to the importance of adding another after-school activity.
``We felt we needed more athletic activities for more kids to be involved in,'' Raiss said.
``I think its wonderful,'' Granby athletic director Marty Bechtol said. ``Anytime you can add a sport, you enhance the school and create more opportunities for students to be involved.
``Everybody has been very upbeat and enthusiastic.''
The turnout was lighter than Murphy expected, but she thinks that will change. She had 12 come out for the first day of practice. Maury and Lake Taylor had roughly the same interest.
``I thought we would have at least 15 players out there,'' Murphy said. ``I do know there are a couple of people who were on vacation. I think maybe once we get started and people start to see it, that and word of mouth, will help, too.''
Fall is a time when girls have a lot of sports to choose from, so for the moment volleyball is competing with field hockey, cross country and tennis for players, but Murphy doesn't think any of the sports will be hurt by the addition.
``I did get two girls who used to play tennis,'' Murphy said. ``But the rest of the girls were ones who were set to play. A lot of athletes go season to season, like everyone has said this just gives more people the chance to get involved.''
Now, with only one experienced player on her team, Murphy is playing the role of teacher more than coach.
``We've got some good players,'' Murphy said. ``It will take some time to get the technique down, but they are getting it little by little.
``It's also hard to get used to the fact that this isn't rec ball anymore, this is more competitive.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by JIMMY WALKER
Maury coach Margaret Carlson makes a point.
Granby coach Joanie Murphy talks to her team during a break while
the Maury team huddles at the opposite end of the court.
by CNB