THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 11, 1994 TAG: 9412090316
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 29 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAN COOLEY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
THE OLD CLICHE that this is a well-balanced league and on any given day one team can beat another seems to be holding true for girls volleyball in the Bay Rivers district.
Take last season.
Just one game separated the top three teams with Poquoson coming out on top at 10-2 and Bruton and Lakeland at 9-3.
Nansemond River, which finished fourth in the regular season, narrowly missed winning the district and regional tournaments, finishing second in both. Bruton claimed the district title and Poquoson the region crown.
With all of the top four teams returning several letter winners all should contend again. Add to that mix last year's Group A state qualifier Franklin, which returns to the district after a two-year absence and there is plenty of reason to believe in parity.
The Broncos' program has come a long way in its 3-year existence. After winning just one match in its inaugural season, Franklin finished second in the Tidewater District last season and qualified for the state tournament.
As evidenced by Tidewater District member Sussex Central's win in last weekend's Nansemond River Tip-off tournament, the Broncos' former district is no slouch and they should have no problem making the transition.
Franklin head coach Marilyn Dull said the Broncos will contend for the top spot if an adequate replacement is found for graduate Amy Council, the team's top setter last season.
``How successful we'll be depends on how quickly new players mature and develop,'' Dull said. ``We have some very good and talented players, but we need to get some consistent passing.''
Two of the more talented returnees are senior Vicki Elliott, the Broncos' top blocker, and junior Jennifer West, the Broncos' top hitter. Also returning are seniors Glenda Dundlow and Amy Joyner and junior Katie Soule. Newcomers Amy Andre, Tina Denson, Mandy Hewett and Denise Joyner will also be expected to contribute.
Lakeland has seven returners and the Cavaliers have their sights set beyond the district title.
``Our goal is to win the district and go to state,'' coach Greg Roundtree said. ``We were just one game away from winning (the district) last year.''
Roundtree's top returner is senior Nikka Saunders, a two-time first team all-district player. Seniors Dee Dee Belcher, Miradonna Debranski and Trevonda Demiel as well as juniors Jennifer Branch, Angela Jones and Kelly Lewis are all back.
Newcomers Kristy Cornett and Cherry Phillips give the Cavaliers added depth.
Graduation took Nansemond River's two best setters - Jennifer Ellis and Sarah Smith.
Head coach Nancy Richie was expecting this to be a rebuilding year. But think again. The Warriors finished second to Sussex Central last weekend in their tip-off tournament, ahead of Franklin and Lakeland.
The Warriors return seven players, six of them juniors, including Elizabeth Pearson, a second team all-state selection. Juniors Heather Behrends, Latoya Crocker, Karl Harrell, Chrissy Mims and Wakeelah Shabazz are back.
Shannon Savage is the only senior of the seven returners. Newcomer sophomore Angie Gatling, a standout basketball player, has already made an impact by cracking the starting lineup.
Four seniors return to the Packers' lineup. Co-captains Sara Swankler and Kelly Jones top the list. Laurie Jones and Demetrius Raines are the others.
Sabrina Whitley and Judith Edwards moved up from the JV squad and are expected to make an impact.
Things can only get better for Smithfield after hitting rock bottom last year, losing every game. Head coach Jerry Tenney said the outlook has already improved with the hiring of a JV coach. Tenney carried the load of coaching both the varsity and JV for the last two years.
``Smithfield is hungry,'' Tenney said. ``We want to show we have improved and hope to get the chance to knock some people off.''
The Indians are pretty much in the same boat. They finished next to last in the district, but first year coach Diane Seward already sees some positive signs of improvement, especially in attitude.
``The girls seem to be excited about the program,'' Seward said. ``We had 52 girls try out for the team, more than ever before. (As a result) we have a bigger varsity (12 players) and JV team than ever before. We have a new coach, new girls and new attitudes.''
Both assistant coaches are also new, but Southampton does have five returning players to build from. Returning are juniors Latoya Adkins and Lucinda Brown and sophomores Christy Ferguson and Shanette Gary. Dawn Crowder is the only senior with experience, but new senior Sadiqa Jenkins should see plenty of action. Look for Towanda Evans and Kelly Wilder to have an impact as well. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Nikka Saunders, a senior at Lakeland, is a two-time first team
all-district player.
by CNB