THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 2, 1995 TAG: 9502280118
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHRISTINE POINTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
GOING OUT with a bang is more than just an expression for Virginia Wesleyan's senior power forward Kristin Hopkins. She has lived by it on the court this season, her last one as a Lady Marlin.
Hopkins, who played at Norfolk Christian High School, averaged 13 points per game and led the Lady Marlins in rebounds.
``Kristin has really stepped up for us since we lost our senior center this year, who left for personal reasons,'' said Virginia Wesleyan's head coach Valerie Kepner. ``She has started every game for us and has stepped into the strong forward position from a guard position and has done very well.''
Hopkins went to Messiah College in Pennsylvania out of high school, where she sat on the bench for her first year and a half.
She transferred to Virginia Wesleyan mid-semester of her sophomore year in 1993.
``I knew playing at a college level was going to be a lot different than playing at a high school level,'' said Hopkins. ``But going from being a big fish in a little school to a little fish in a big world was a bigger adjustment than I had anticipated.''
Hopkins knew, transferring into Wesleyan, that she might not be given an opportunity to play. The Lady Marlins had a lot of depth their last two seasons.
``I was prepared to not play,'' said Hopkins. ``There were a lot of girls on the team that had been here longer than me and hadn't started yet.
``But now I feel I've paid my dues. This last year has been a real learning experience for me. It taught me a lot about myself, and how much I love this sport. It feels great to be able to go out on a positive note.''
And Hopkins' presence has been very positive for the Lady Marlins, who finished 16-24 this season.
``Kristin was never given a chance to show what she could do,'' said Kepner, who is in her first year as Virginia Wesleyan women's head coach. ``This year has certainly been her year to flourish.''
Assistant coach, Joanne Renn, who is also the girls head coach for Norfolk Academy, agreed.
``I've watched Kristin play since she was a freshman for Norfolk Christian,'' said Renn. ``Her improvement has been phenomenal. She has done everything we have asked of her and more.''
Including taking time off from her internship with Norfolk Psychiatric Center, where she works 40 hours a week as a social worker, to travel with the team.
``This semester has been rough,'' said Hopkins. ``I've been really lucky that they have been so accommodating at my job. But I still have to make up the time I missed in order to graduate this spring.''
So, 10- and 12-hour days are something that Hopkins deals with.
``Kristin has done an excellent job of being a leader, both on and off the court,'' said Kepner. ``Even when she's frazzled from working all day, she gives everything she's got.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Senior forward Kristin Hopkins, a Norfolk Christian product,
averaged 13 points a game and led Virginia Wesleyan in rebounding
this season.
by CNB