THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 8, 1994 TAG: 9409030194
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
LET THE experiment . . . begin!
Taking a cue from their neighbors in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, the Eastern District has added girls volleyball to its roster of fall sports. But like any first-year programs, schools in Norfolk can expect to go through their share of growing pains.
But, hey - the five schools in the Eastern District are all going to have the same problems - mainly lack of experienced players - so at least the playing field is level.
Let us begin our journey with Lake Taylor, where coach Cubby Morgan has 12 girls on the team - and three are named Leilani. There's seniors Leilani Antolin and Leilani Tamondong, and freshman Leilanie Campos (who earns bonus points for at least spelling it differently) rounds out the trio.
``It is a little strange,'' said Morgan, who keeps things straight by addressing the girls by their initials.
Morgan assembled his squad by recruiting athletes from the Lake Taylor track and soccer teams, with the assistance of Amy Harrell. Some of the freshman, including Campos, were asked to play while they were eighth-graders at Azalea Middle, where Morgan teaches.
More kids are expected to try out for the team once school is in session.
``I'm pleased with how they're progressing,'' said Morgan, who points to junior Nicole Rainey as a player to watch. ``We don't have a lot of height, but we have hustle.''
Over at Norview, coach Danny Dail found himself with a luxury most other Eastern District coaches would have loved when 26 girls tried out for the team. He has since whittled the squad down to 16, although most of the girls have never played volleyball.
``We're starting from scratch in a big way,'' Dail said. ``We've got a lot of juniors and seniors coming out who have never played any sports.''
The nucleus of the Pilots is composed of junior Joyce Vitug, sophomore setter Shana Thompson and freshman Kim Fair, who at 5-9 is the the tallest player on the Norview squad.
Because everything is so new, Dail said that any preseason predictions would be meaningless.
``All I really want is for them to do the best they can. Of course, no one likes to lose - but you can't build Rome in a day,'' he said. ``I've told them to concentrate on having fun, and I'll take the heat over the won/loss record.''
According to Maury coach Margaret Carlson, the Commodores' main goal this season is ``just to get established as a varsity sport.''
Before the summer, 40 girls signed up to try out for the team. But when the time came, only 14 showed up. All of them made the squad.
``A few of them have had a little experience, so they have some skills,'' Carlson said. ``But for the majority, it's their first exposure to volleyball.''
Maury has a solid core of high-potential players to work with. According to Carlson, outside hitter Kelly Cooper has excellent jumping ability, and sophomore Richel Valdez is ``showing a lot of promise.'' Elmer Rojas is the Commodores' best backline passer, although Carlson calls senior Melissa Griffith her best all-around player.
Granby might have a bit of an edge over the other schools talent-wise, with junior Jessica Koch active in the Tidewater Volleyball Association.
``She's our best player - serving, setting, passing, and spiking,'' said coach Joanie Murphy. ``It's nice to have her on the team, because the other girls can learn from her . . . she can demonstrate all the skills we're trying to teach.''
Senior Melanie Clark and junior Natalie Weatherburn will also be counted on to pace the Comets.
``The girls have put in a lot of hours since we started, trying to learn the techniques,'' Murphy said. ``The district is pretty even, since everyone is in the same boat. Whoever works the hardest will win it.''
Booker T. Washington is at the biggest disadvantage in the Eastern District. Coach Bermina McClenny is having trouble rounding up enough warm bodies to field a full squad. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JIM WALKER
Before the summer, 40 girls signed up to try out for Maury's
volleyball team. But when the time came, only 14 showed up for
practice. All of them made coach Margaret Carlson's squad.
by CNB