THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 30, 1994 TAG: 9410280302
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH AND BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
THE STREAK MIGHT BE broken.
For the past nine years, the Western Branch girls' volleyball team has held or shared the Southeastern District regular-season title. Going into last Thursday's match against Great Bridge, the Bruins were tied with the Wildcats for second place in the district, a game behind Indian River.
The Braves could clinch the top seed in the district tournament with a win over Deep Creek on Thursday. If they falter, Indian River would have a playoff game with the winner of the Great Bridge/Western Branch matchup.
On Tuesday, these four teams will gather at Oscar Smith High School for the Southeastern District girls' volleyball tournament. The district winner, along with the regular-season champion, earns a trip to the Eastern Region tournament at Tallwood.
Deep Creek has wrapped up the fourth seed in the all-Chesapeake affair. The Hornets will have to face the best team in the district, but coach Barbara Stephenson says her team is playing well.
``The improvement is there (from the start of the season). We've got so many young hitters, but they're not lacking in confidence, just experience,'' said Stephenson.
Deep Creek was 0-5 against the top three teams in the district going into the season-finale with Indian River. The Braves will be facing a new-look Deep Creek, as Stephenson has switched from a 4-2 offense to a 5-1, with sophomore setter Glenda Brinson running the show.
Indian River entered the final week of the season undefeated in the district, with two tough five-game wins over defending district champion Western Branch. Then the Braves ran into a confident Great Bridge team and took a three-games-and-out loss.
``It was a big disappointment to the girls. It was just not their night,'' said Indian River coach Linda Rice. ``Great Bridge played a better game.
``Hopefully the girls will learn something from this.''
Western Branch coach Jim Stanko said he was not surprised that Indian River suffered its first loss against the Wildcats.
``Great Bridge has a good team, but I imagine Indian River was a little flat after our match. I know we were flat for Deep Creek (Western Branch won, 3-0).''
Seniors Jeannine Simpson and Robyn Clark are leaders for Indian River, while Quiana White and Jennifer Burns provide sophomore enthusiasm.
Although the Bruins came up short twice against Indian River, all bets are off in the tournament.
``I would say our chances of winning are as good as anybody,'' said Stanko. ``A key for us is our passing. We must work harder when we have pressure put on us from serves.''
The defensive leader for the Bruins is Jaci Morris. Morris and Katie McPhail pace Western Branch in kills.
Western Branch wrapped up the season against Great Bridge, and chances are good that the two teams will face each other again in the district semis. Bill Clement's Wildcats had won six straight matches going into the last day of the regular season.
Marni Magyar, Jill Ferguson, and April Meyer figured heavily in Great Bridge's win over Indian River and should carry that momentum into the tournament.
Oscar Smith, Churchland and Wilson failed to qualify for the district playoffs.
Portsmouth's two teams finished at the bottom of the rung. Churchland won three matches while Wilson was winless.
``I figured we would win four matches and we won three, so I was a little disappointed,'' said Churchland coach Bobbi Shuler. The Truckers beat Wilson twice and split with Oscar Smith. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by STEVE EARLEY
Senior Jeannine Simpson is a leader for Indian River. On Tuesday,
the team will play in the Southeastern District girls' volleyball
tournament.
Senior Robyn Clark is also a top player for Indian River.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Southeastern District girls' volleyball tournament
WHERE: Oscar Smith High School
WHEN: Tuesday, November 1. Semifinal matches are scheduled for 5
and 6 p.m.; the championship begins at 7:30 p.m. Matches are best
two out of three games.
WHO: Indian River, Western Branch, Great Bridge, and Deep Creek
High Schools.
LAST YEAR: The same four teams participated, with Great Bridge
upsetting Indian River 15-13, 16-14, and Western Branch defeating
Deep Creek 16-14, 15-6 to earn a trip to the final. The Bruins edged
Great Bridge in three games for the district title.
by CNB