THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 1, 1994 TAG: 9408310178
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
READY TO DO the usual and install Maury as the runaway favorite for the Eastern District girls tennis title?
Take another look at that crystal ball, because for the first time in recent memory, it might not be that cut-and-dried.
So what if the Commodores have rolled to the last 13 league crowns? And so what if, for Maury's top players, a district match in recent years has virtually meant the same thing as a day off?
This year figures to be different. Maury has said goodbye to four of its top six players from a year ago, including four-time Eastern District champion Katie Brinkman. And the coach who presided over the Commodore dynasty, Ann Laughner, has stepped down.
Meanwhile, Granby will take the courts with potential stars at its top two positions, and Booker T. Washington should continue to be a factor as long as Paul Palombo is in charge.
In other words, 1994 promises more competition at the top of the standings than any year since 1980, the last time someone other than Maury was crowned league champion.
So who's this year's favorite? Maury. Don't be ridiculous.
No, they don't have the powerhouse of years past, a problem which should surface come the region tournament. But in the district, Maury's depth should prove to be the difference.
In a league where most of the teams have trouble filling out the roster, the Commodores have enough decent players to field two teams. For example, with several players away last weekend on vacation, Maury played the Newport News Invitational with its No. 14 and No. 18 players.
``I think we're equally as strong as Granby at the top, but we're probably a little more consistent down the line,'' new Maury coach Mike Pugh said. ``We're solid from top to bottom.''
An improved Jennifer Warren, who played No. 7 a year ago, is the frontrunner to move into the No. 1 slot. Other key returners include Tracy Dotolo, Kristin Mayer, Jackie Owen, Lauren Allain, Saith Strickland, Chrystal Luc, Sarah Ettler, Kate Spencer, Helen Secrest and Clea Caldwell.
But while it appears as though Maury is poised to continue its stunning run of collecting district titles, this one doesn't figure to come as easily as the ones in years past. Normally at this time of year, people who pick favorites could scrawl the Commodores' name in indelible ink. This year, though, better use a pencil. A No. 3 pencil.
If Maury falters, Granby should be there to capitalize. This was supposed to be the year Granby was the favorite to put an end to Maury's winning streak. But this is also the year the Eastern District adds girl's volleyball as a varsity sport. Three players who were expected to help Granby make its run at Maury, including projected No. 3 singles player Holly Higgins, will spend their fall hitting balls over a different kind of net.
Making matters worse, projected No. 6 Donna King suffered injuries in a car accident recently and might not be ready for the start of the season.
The Comets will still have the dynamic sophomore tandem of Elaine McCall and Carrie Hurst and a relatively deep roster, especially considering the volleyball defections. That should be enough to finish second, which would land the Comets a regional berth. But whether it's enough to overtake Maury remains to be seen.
``We've got a chance to (win the district title), but only if my kids are hungry enough for it,'' Granby coach Bill Lloyd said.
Either way, the Comets should finish no lower than second, which would end the remarkable two-year run of Booker T. Washington as a region qualifier (the top two teams in each district qualify for the region).
Tracy Reamey, Donna Self, Sharon McClannan and Shannon Rosenbaum return for the Bookers, once the league doormats but who have now won 75 percent of their matches over the past two years. But the Bookers don't have the depth of the top two teams.
``Maury and Granby are the ones to look out for, even I have to admit that,'' Palombo said.
It should be noted, however, that Palombo said the same thing last year, right before the Bookers beat Granby twice to qualify for the region.
Norview will try to rebound behind a new coach, Cindy Powell. Powell takes over for Sandy Spears. And Lake Taylor, winless last season, has already seen its bid for respectability hampered as several players have opted to work instead of play tennis. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Granby sophomore Carrie Hurst hits the ball during practice. The
Comets, with a relatively deep roster, should finish no lower than
second this year.
by CNB