THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 5, 1994 TAG: 9410050657
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
It looked to be a rough two days for Quiana White and the rest of the Indian River girls volleyball team.
On Wednesday they were scheduled to put their perfect record on the line against fellow unbeaten Western Branch, the longstanding powerhouse of the Southeastern District.
The following day they faced Great Bridge, another team that had yet to lose.
Two tough games, two days - two victories.
Against Western Branch, Indian River came back from a 2-0 deficit to score a stunning 5-game win over the Bruins, thanks in part to White's 11 kills and 16 blocks.
Against the Wildcats, White notched 10 kills and nine blocks in a three-game sweep.
White's outstanding performance in those two matches earned her The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star girls athlete of the week award.
``Quiana played the best I've ever seen her play against Western Branch,'' Indian River coach Linda Rice said. ``I thought she'd be a little anxious and nervous because she's only a sophomore. They (The whole team) knew that Western Branch was the team to beat.''
According to Rice, starting White at middle blocker against the Bruins was not a done deal.
But on the trip over to Western Branch, White approached her coach and made a plea.
``She came up to me on the bus and said `I feel I'm really ready for this game, coach Rice. I want this real bad. Please let me start.' I was a little surprised, but I thought I'd give her a chance.''
After dropping the first two games 15-9 and 15-13, the Braves found themselves one game from their first loss of the season. Still, White says the team never lost faith in itself. ``We never give up. We knew we could (come back) if we just kept going,'' she said.
The Braves won the next three games from Western Branch, 15-10, 15-8, and 15-10, to hand the defending Eastern Region champs their first district loss.
Although White's numbers against Great Bridge weren't as eye-popping, her performance keyed a, 16-14, 15-7, 15-10 win.
``I don't really focus on how many kills or blocks I have. I just do what I have to do,'' White said. ``It's mostly just instinct - if I see the ball coming, I jump up there and get it.'' by CNB