THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 10, 1995 TAG: 9509090098
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 116 lines
IT'S A REBUILDING year in girls tennis throughout the Southeastern District. So all things being equal that makes defending champion Great Bridge the favorite, right?
Actually, most coaches will tell you that all things are never equal. Great Bridge players often are exposed to tennis at an earlier age and in many circumstances receive professional coaching.
A potential equalizer is the foreign exchange player. Churchland's Justina Petsch lost a third-set tiebreaker last year in the district semifinals.
Petsch is gone, but Churchland has another promising foreign player who will play No. 1 in Lucie Aravaszova from the Czech Republic. Indian River's Helena Carvalho from Brazil is another exchange student who plays No. 1.
Here is a team-by-team look at the district:
GREAT BRIDGE
Coach: Kay Stone and Ginny Matish
Last year's record: 7-0 district, 13-3 overall
Returning starters: Kim Burnop, Sr.; Nathalie Vandenheiligenberg, Jr.; Beth Hartley, So.
Top newcomers: Liz Higgins, Fr.; Jenna Matyiko, Jr.
Outlook: This is a rebuilding year as the Wildcats try to replace Sara Gurthrie and Carey Stafford, who won the past three district singles titles between them. Burnop moves up from No. 4 and will contend for the district singles title. Hartley reached the district doubles final last year as a freshman.
WESTERN BRANCH
Coach: Ginny Brandriff
Last year's record: 5-2 district, 8-5 overall
Returning starters: Erica Villaros, So.
Top newcomers: Megan Halstead, Jr.; Laura Whitehurst, Fr.; Amy Bevan, Fr.
Outlook: The Bruins suffered heavy losses to graduation, but tradition and depth will keep them near the top. Villaros started at No. 3 in the region tournament last year and a summer of tournament play has strengthened her claim on the top spot. Elizabeth Olson, who played No. 3 doubles, will start at No. 2. Mary Beth Tinkham, who was expected to contend for No. 1, is coming off surgery on both knees and will start at No. 3. The No. 1 doubles team of Ciara Lascano and Villaros should be very good.
INDIAN RIVER
Coach: C. J. Cornell
Last year's record: 3-4 district, 3-4 overall
Returning starters: Kim Crook, Sr.; Melissa Mason, Sr.; Heather Ayers, Sr.; Stephanie Esposo, Jr.
Top newcomers: Helena Carvalho, Jr.; Erin Irelan, Sr.; Neleh Barcarse, Sr.
Outlook: The Braves should be the most improved team with the addition of Carvalho and Irelan. Irelan, who has been living in Japan, will play No. 2. Mason and Crook, who played Nos. 2 and 3 last year, will each drop down a notch.
CHURCHLAND
Coach: Phyllis Penner
Last year's record: 5-2 district, 5-2 overall
Returning starters: Rachel Haywood, Sr.
Top newcomers: Lucie Arabaszova, Sr.; Jennifer Smith, Sr.; Becky Foster, Fr.
Outlook: Arabaszova is a good athlete, but has never played tennis. That tells you something about the Truckers' rebuilding process. Haywood, who played No. 6 last year, is the only returning starter. Smith, a track standout, should be competitive at No. 3. The future lies in Foster and Mann.
DEEP CREEK
Coach: Anne Pitt
Last year's record: 5-2 district, 5-5 overall
Returning starters: Joann Lubag, Jr.
Top newcomers: Marie Bentulen, Fr.; Cecelia Bentulen, Jr.; Meredith Jenks, So.
Outlook: Lubag makes the big leap from No. 5 to No. 1. Delicia Hurdle, a good athlete who competes in track, will play No. 2 or 3.
OSCAR SMITH
Coach: George Sheperty
Last year's record: 1-6 district, 1-6 overall
Returning starters: Megan Yates, Jr.; Lenise Freeman, Jr.; Thuy Lam, So.
Top newcomers: Christen Teft, Fr.
Outlook: Lam is No. 1 and Yates is No. 2. Sheperty is excited; only two of his top eight are seniors and with Lam and Teft the Tigers have the making of a true program.
WILSON
Coach: David Littlefield
Last year's record: 3-4 district, 4-5 overall
Returning starters: Kristi Unzicker, Sr.; Sheryl Clark, Sr.; Dipti Patel, Jr.
Top newcomers: Kendra Rascoe, Jr.; Tara Welch, So.; Mei Me Ng, Sr.
Outlook: Genera, who sat out last year after transferring from Norcom, will play No. 1. The Presidents lost their top two players, but Littlefield still hopes for overall improvement.
NORCOM
Coach: Bob Wright
Last year's record: 1-6 district, 1-6 overall
Returning starters: Sarah McAlister, Jr.; Julie Chambers, Jr.; Diana Ashe, Jr.; Virginia Franco, Jr.
Top newcomers: Sonya Cross, Jr.; Aminah Boone, Jr.
Outlook: As usual the Greyhounds lack polish and tournament experience. However Wright, in his first season, thinks he can mold Franco into a region contender. by CNB