THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 16, 1995 TAG: 9502140150
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, COMPASS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
DESPITE THE GRADUATION of five players from last year's championship volleyball team, Norfolk Academy is the favorite to win the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools tournament, which begins tonight and continues through Saturday.
The Bulldogs have captured the last two titles and have placed either first or second in the league since 1981.
``Actually, this team has been a surprise,'' Norfolk Academy coach Susie Fleenor said. ``I have a lot of depth.''
Fleenor, who returns first-team All-TCIS pick Amanda Lee, a senior setter, and honorable mention selection Carrie Evans, a junior middle hitter, said serving has been the key to her team's success.
The team serves 88 percent, while Lee leads the Bulldogs serving with 97 percent.
Other Bulldogs are posting some pretty impressive stats that have helped Norfolk Academy remain undefeated throughout the regular season.
Senior middle hitter Kayla Becker has 61 kills for the season and Jackie Johnson, a left-handed outside hitter, has a team-leading 62 percent passing efficiency rating.
On paper, it looks as though Norfolk Academy is unstoppable. However, Norfolk Christian, which went four games with the Bulldogs and suffered its only two regular season losses, will be hot on their trail in the tournament.
The Ambassadors, who finished second in the TCIS, are also serving about 88 percent.
``It's been kind of tight,'' Norfolk Christian coach Nancy Rook said. ``Anybody could win this thing.''
Leading the Ambassadors are twins Mary and Nevie Webb-Zelinski, Lynn Merkel and Apryl Prentiss.
Mary Webb-Zelinski, Rook says, is tops at the net, while Nevie Webb-Zelinski, Merkel and Prentiss are battling for the team's highest serving percentage.
As far as playing Norfolk Academy for possibly the third time this season, Rook is very optimistic.
``They're very beatable,'' she said. ``But they play very well together and they seem to stay up mentally longer than the other teams I've seen this year.''
Tonight, the top four seeds will host quarterfinal action. The tournament continues Saturday with the semifinals at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Norfolk Academy.
The finals will take place at 5 p.m. at Catholic High School prior to the boys basketball finals. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by L. TODD SPENCER
Mary Webb-Zelinsky sends the ball back toward the net.
Norfolk Christian's Mary Webb-Zelinsky, left, goes up for the spike
while Catholic's Georgia Germano goes for the block.
by CNB