THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 15, 1995 TAG: 9501130253
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 29 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: - Denise Michaux
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
THIS WAS SUPPOSED to be a rebuilding year for Nancy Richie's Warriors.
``I had lost three senior setters. I was going to have to be retraining setters,'' Richie said. ``I changed the whole offense around.''
The changes seem to have worked in Nansemond River's favor.
The Warriors are 8-0 in the district after a surprisingly easy 16-14, 15-3 win over Poquoson last week and 11-1 overall. The lone loss came in the championship game of the Nansemond River tipoff tournament to Sussex Central.
``They have surprised me,'' Richie said. ``I think it is really mental attitude. There are some excellent athletes on other teams that hit harder than we do, so even though we know that we may not get the most kills, we have learned to do the best with what we've got.''
Junior Elizabeth Pearson, a second-team all-state selection last season, is the Warriors' floor captain.
``She leads the team spiritually, I think,'' Richie said. ``She doesn't let anyone get down.''
The Warriors have a two-game lead on the rest of the district at the moment, but Richie doesn't consider that very comfortable. Nansemond River must travel to Bruton, Lakeland and Poquoson before the regular season wraps up Feb. 8. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Nansemond River's Kari Harrell slams the ball over the Poquoson
defense, helping the Warriors remain undefeated in the Bay Rivers
district.
by CNB