THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 7, 1994 TAG: 9410050151
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAN COOLEY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
OCTOBER 29, 1991. Not quite a day that will live in infamy, but it's close.
That date marks the last time Western Branch Middle School lost a volleyball match. Since losing that contest to Indian River, the Bruins have won 26 straight.
It looks to be the most competitive year yet in the Chesapeake Middle School League. Deep Creek, Great Bridge, Indian River and Oscar Smith all return a strong nucleus of players that could challenge Western Branch's winning streak.
CRESTWOOD
Just three players return from the 2-8 team that finished in a last-place tie with Indian River. That's not good news for third-year coach Doug Connolly, who is trying to lead the Falcons to only their second winning season in 10 years.
Although Connolly said that many of the girls on his squad had never touched a volleyball before this season, there is cause for hope.
``For once, we have a lot of athletes,'' he said. ``We have more girls attacking the ball than ever before, and some are great blockers. I think we will surprise some people with our aggressiveness.''
With the leadership of returners Teresa Borcoski, Laura Myers, and Katy Sanders, Connolly said his team will be strong in blocking and spiking. But the team's proficiency in spiking will be wasted if the team doesn't develop some setters. The squad's weaknesses are receiving and serving.
DEEP CREEK
The Hornets finished 6-4 last year and placed second in the tournament. Second-year coach Kim Dezern had the good fortune of picking up three transfers from Indian River during the off-season, all of whom started for the Braves. Those three, along with three returning starters, give Deep Creek a solid lineup.
The only question mark for the Hornets is a lack of an experienced bench. Dezern hopes to add Jessica Simpson at midseason to help shore up that weakness. Simpson started last year but is currently sidelined with an injury.
Of the starting six, transfers Alexis Alleyne and twins Melinda and Brenda Cribb will do most of the setting. Reterners Linette Bond and Candice Johnson will be two of the spikers.
While Dezern is excited about her starters, she singled out Lekeila Whitaker as her best spiker and all-around player.
GREAT BRIDGE
The Wildcats have two starters, Shelly Wineken and Rebecca Reyburn, back from last year's 4-6 squad. Other returners include Carrie Handfinger, Adrianne Tibbs, and Miranda Wooldrige.
``Wineken's our team captain and an outstanding setter,'' said rookie coach Glen Smith. ``When she started the first day of practice last year there was never any doubt where she would play.''
Smith said newcomers Victoria Brock and Kim Bousman should have an immediate impact. Brock missed all of last season because of knee surgery but has been Great Bridge's most consistent player in practice.
Smith sees ballhandling and hitting as the Wildcats' top strengths. The area that needs the most improvement is serving.
INDIAN RIVER
After winning three straight tournament titles from 1988-90, the Braves have fallen on hard times and won only two games last year.
Indian River returns eight players who saw significant action last season - Kelly Elks, Megan Grinels, Christine Marable, Meghann Poole, Lauren Quinn, Kelly Sebastian, Jessica Sickerott, and Sandra Smith. Coach Jan Wernimont said newcomers Lisa Maholchic and Shanell Morelli should have an immediate impact since the two are strong spikers.
``We scrimmaged last week and I feel very encouraged. Several of our players have improved tremendously,'' said Wernimont. ``We're a lot further along at this point than we were at the end of last year.''
OSCAR SMITH
After finishing in second place in the league with a 7-3 record, coach Ramona Griffin likes the Tigers' chances in 1994.
``Our attitude is `anything goes,' '' said Griffin, who returns four players. ``Our teammwork and strong spirit usually takes us through.''
The four returners are Tiffany Buettener, Martine Swain, Melissa Goode, Christina McPherson. Newcomers Lavenia Griffin, Shalica Green, and April Romero will also contribute.
WESTERN BRANCH
With a strong recreation program, three straight tournament titles, four consecutive regular-season crowns and a 26-match winning streak, the Bruins are everyone's pick to repeat as champs.
Everyone's pick, that is, except Western Branch head coach Linda Pippin.
``We're definitely in a rebuilding year,'' said Pippin. ``We're very young and inexperienced, but the girls all work very hard. We will remain competitive.''
It may sound like a bit of coachspeak, but then again, Pippin may be right. The Bruins have the smallest number of returning players of any team, with three.
To make matters worse, one of those players, Kim Chastain, hasn't fully recovered from a broken foot and may not be ready to play for another two weeks.
Also returning are Natalie Parker and Andrea Bunch. Parker is a strong setter and outside hitter, while Bunch is strong defensively and will see time on the back line. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Lekeila Whitaker is one of Deep Creek's best spikers.
by CNB