THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 5, 1995 TAG: 9510030129
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 27 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 107 lines
The Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools has an odd mixture of teams with lots of experience and teams with no experience in boys volleyball this season.
Although four schools have competed in TCIS boys volleyball for the past two seasons, this is the first year the sport will be recognized on the varsity level. TCIS bylaws require participation by five schools before a sport is officially recognized. This year seven schools, including five in the South Hampton Roads area, have teams.
According to Norfolk Christian athletic director Dave Walker, who coordinates boys volleyball for the TCIS, the conference is carefully developing volleyball while trying not to take athletes from other boys fall sports.
``We're pulling from a wide base,'' he said. ``We've tried to commit ourselves to not pulling athletes out of other sports. Many of our talent-base kids are involved in other sports. But there are players who were not involved.''
Walker said that at this early stage in the season, the favorite has to be Catholic:
``From what I see, Catholic will be the front-runner, followed probably by us.''
Norfolk Christian's only loss to a TCIS school is to Catholic. However, the teams are still competing in their non-conference schedule.
Catholic's returning starters have combined with solid backups to become a powerful presence early. The Crusaders are confident they can win the TCIS title and challenge Norfolk Christian's dominance. Last year, Catholic won the regular-season TCIS crown but finished second in the tournament.
Senior captain Mike Sachon works to cap an outstanding prep career with a TCIS title. He is joined by returnees Nick Shawnik, Jeff Alberts, Adam Whisman and Chris deLeon.
Norfolk Christian went 9-1 last year and won its second consecutive ``club'' boys volleyball championship. The Ambassadors are paced by the experienced pairing of senior outside hitter Will Jenkins and senior setter Clark Taylor. They are joined by senior middle hitter David Carter.
According to coach Nancy Rook, the practice and experience gained playing the past two years at the club level will enable the TCIS to become immediately competitive in varsity volleyball.
``This is our third year,'' Rook said. ``The last two have been at club status. This year we are a sport. It has been very successful. As the years progress, so does the level of competition.''
Norfolk Collegiate coach Tara Voke is using the pre-conference part of her schedule to fine-tune a young team into a competitive contender. Voke looks for the Oaks to come together midseason and make a late run for the championship title.
Leading the Oaks' charge are returning middle hitter and setter Bryan Jackson, outside hitter Bryan Boland and defensive specialist Eric Morgan.
CATHOLIC
Coach: James Selter.
1995 record: 6-0.
Returning starters: Mike Sachon, sr.; Nick Shawnik, jr.; Jeff Alberts, sophomore; Adam Whisman, jr.; Chris deLeon, sr.
Top newcomers: Jeffery Busher.
Outlook: The Catholic players are confident they can be a dominant factor in the TCIS title race. According to Busher, ``I think we can win the TCIS. We have not yet lost a game, we've won all of our matches 3-0, against TCIS teams.''
GREENBRIER CHRISTIAN
Coach: David Baxter.
1995 record: 2-3.
Expected standouts: Justin Bush, sr., hitter/blocker.
Outlook: ``It's a lot better than I thought after our first practice,'' Baxter said. ``They've come along and done well. I think we'll finish in the top half of the league.''
NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK
Coach: Beverly Nuckols.
1995 record: 1-5.
Returning players: John Dragzeth, sr.; Ross Morgan, sr.; Andrew Garrett, sr.; Greg Robinett, sr.; Mason Hoggard, sophomore.
Top newcomers: Rob Giwicin, sr.; Hank Leber, soph.; Eric Baur, freshman; Jason Matthews, fr.; Scott Thacker, fresh.
Outlook: The Saints had a late start due to the lack of players before school started. Athletic Director Randy Davis said he hopes the team comes together before tournament time since more than half of the team is playing competitive volleyball for the first time.
NORFOLK CHRISTIAN
Coach: Nancy Rook.
1995 record: 3-3.
Returning players: Will Jenkins, sr., outside hitter, 6-foot-0; Clark Taylor, setter, sr., 6-0.
Top newcomers: David Carter, sr., middle hitter, 6-2.
Outlook: ``I am excited about the future of the program within the TCIS. We have won the title the last two years but I believe it is up for grabs this year.''
NORFOLK COLLEGIATE
Coach: Tara Voke.
1995 record: 0-5.
Returning players: Bryan Jackson, sr., middle hitter/setter, 6-1; Bryan Boland, freshman, outside hitter, 5-8; Eric Morgan, 8th grader, defensive specialist, 5-3.
Top newcomers: Chris Moring, sophomore, middle hitter; Jesse Gordon, outside hitter, sr.; Joe Sleeper, junior, outside hitter.
Outlook: ``This is a small, inexperienced team with a lot of potential,'' Voke said. ``We will come on strong at the end of the season.''
KEYWORDS: TIDEWATER CONFERENCE BOYS VOLLEYBALL by CNB