THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 23, 1994 TAG: 9410210307
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY JOHN GORDON, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: FRANKLIN LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
SHE'S A COLLEGIATE volleyball prospect, Southampton Speedway Queen and a brown belt in Tae Kwon-Do.
Volleyball is Vicki Elliott's first love, though, and the Franklin High senior is devoting most of what spare time she has to her school team and the Junior Olympic squad that operates out of Chesapeake.
A native of Abilene, Texas, the 17-year-old student athlete grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and was involved in swimming, cheerleading and even soccer. But then came volleyball and she began to focus her energies on it.
``I've always enjoyed volleyball - ever since a coach came to me in middle school and encouraged me to try out,'' said Elliott. ``Since then I've played on the beach, in back yards and at parks - wherever they have a net, a ball and enough players.''
Since she is 6-2, many people have asked her about basketball. But she has never been interested in that sport, although Elliott admits she appreciates some of the similarities.
``I like the constant movement in volleyball,'' she said. ``But my favorite part is the blocking.
``I love putting the ball back at them. I don't have to jump because I can put my whole hand over the net, but when I do, it helps.''
Elliott likes volleyball because it is a team sport as opposed to martial arts, for example, which she has let slide since moving to Franklin three years ago.
``I did Tae Kwon-Do when I was 12 through 14 (in Florida), but I haven't done it here,'' Elliott said. ``It was basically for self defense, but it was a great way to become physically fit.
``I was in the best shape I've ever been in.''
When she transferred to Franklin High as a sophomore, the Broncos were only in their second year of volleyball. And they had won only one match that inaugural campaign.
Then Franklin moved up to fifth in the district, and last year the Broncos lost out in the quarterfinals of the Region A tournament. And prospects look good for coach Marilyn Dull, who was an assistant when the program started.
``We lost our setter and outside hitter, but we should be a contender although we have moved up to Group AA,'' said Elliott. ``I want to go out with a trophy under my belt and a title would be another dream.''
Her big dream, though, is playing volleyball for Florida State.
``That's been a dream since I was in the sixth grade,'' she said. ``I was there for a camp this past summer, and I would like to go there and major in sports medicine.''
Other schools such as Duke and Penn State have expressed interest in the lanky athlete, but she confesses that she is a wimp when it comes to cold weather.
And still another dream would be the Olympics.
``The 1996 Olympics are out of reach,'' said Elliott. ``But playing in the 2000 Olympics is a dream.''
Making the area Junior Olympics team has been exciting, and she eagerly makes the commute from Franklin to Western Branch Middle School where she plays under Bob Arnette and Beth Lett.
``Our coaching staff think she's the best middle blocker from D.C. to Bristol, and she is a definite Division I college prospect,'' Arnette said. ``She's a complete student athlete package and a real leader.''
Meanwhile there is school work. She carries a 3.3 grade point average in honors classes.
``Math is my best subject, but chemistry is my worst,'' she said. ``With my schedule, I study a lot of late nights and early mornings.''
Elliott also is a member of the Beta Club, DECA and FBL at Franklin and she says she also enjoys her business classes. And as if she doesn't have anything else to do, she works part time at the Franklin Bowling Center.
Her speedway queen reign is virtually over since racing is done for the season. But she still makes periodic promotional appearances such as appearing in Suffolk's recent Peanut Fest parade.
``I had been around the speedway for three years and the drivers elected me queen for this past season,'' she said. ``I hadn't considered it before, but I jumped at the opportunity and was happy to accept it. It's been a growing experience and I have enjoyed meeting people.''
Ironically, the only two races she has missed have been because of, you guessed it, volleyball. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by JOHN GORDON
Six-foot-two Vicki Elliott plays volleyball for Franklin High
School, where she is a senior, and the Junior Olympic squad that
operates out of Chesapeake.
Photo
Vicki Elliott is this year's Southampton Speedway Queen.
by CNB