THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 5, 1995 TAG: 9510040178
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
After losing the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools regular season title for the first time in several years last fall, the Norfolk Academy field hockey team salvaged its season by rebounding to win the tournament championship.
There is no reason to think that Academy won't again be the team to beat.
But the Bulldogs will have to fight for the honor.
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, which lost to Academy, 2-1, in the tournament championship is another contender, as is Cape Henry.
Following is a look at local TCIS field hockey teams with 1995 records through Oct. 1:
CAPE HENRY
Coach: Sue Dano
Last year: 2-4 league, 8-7-2 overall.
1995 record: 0-0, 7-4-1.
Returning starters: Sallie Ray, senior midfielder; Becky Sullivan, senior back; Ginny McGraw, senior midfielder/back; Elizabeth Dunnington, junior forward; Sarah Pike, junior back; Jenna Boseman, junior midfielder; Kelly Fisher, junior back/midfielder; Carrie Rosenstock, sophomore forward; Liz Costigan, freshman back; Sari Lindroos, senior keeper.
Top newcomers: Carey Plemmons, junior; Valerie DeWandel, sophomore
Outlook: Dano, a first-year coach, is excited about her team's chances this season. With four returning senior starters to provide leadership, she should be. Dano also said she has five juniors who are experienced players.
CATHOLIC
Coach: Moira Leavitt.
Last year: not provided, but third in the TCIS.
1995 record: 0-2, 5-10-1.
Returning starters: Margot deMontpellier, senior forward; Jen Dixon, junior forward; Sam Newton, junior forward; Lorna Tweed, senior midfielder; Lisa Suhr, senior midfielder; Brenna Rapp, senior defender; Chesley Fentress, senior keeper; Sharon Reinman, junior sweeper; Jen Jellig, junior midfielder; Aileen Finley, senior forward.
Top newcomers: Nicole Gibson, sophomore forward; Shannon Harty, junior midfielder, Jessica Herrera, junior midfielder/defender; Sarah Lepere, sophomore defender; Christina Lepere, sophomore forward/midfielder; Mary Ellen Price, sophomore defender; Kristin Sorenson, junior keeper.
Outlook: With a lineup of returning veterans, Catholic hoped to be competitive with the league's better teams. But Leavitt, another rookie coa ch, but will have to find a way to overcome a slow start.
NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK
Coach: Cheryl Ferguson.
Last year: 8-3-2 league, 9-4-2 overall.
1995 record: 0-0, 2-4-1.
Returning starters: Heather Rountree, senior forward; Betsy Bagnell, senior forward; Marie Sankarum, senior midfielder; Lanz Smith, senior back; Emma Esmali, senior back; Sarah Huber, senior forward; Erin Vansickle, senior forward; Lisa Beale, senior midfielder; Robin Linder, senior keeper; Angela Horsely, senior forward; Courtney Fuller, senior fullback; Valerie Mansfield, junior fullback; Erin O'Berry, junior midfielder; Sarah Case, junior fullback.
Top newcomers: Tina Walker, freshman keeper; Lee Cary, midfielder/forward; Madeline Flowers, freshman fullback.
Outlook: Another team with a first-year coach, Nansemond-Suffolk has lots of depth and experience from last year's runner-up squad. Many returnees have been playing for several years and are looking forward to getting back to the tournament championship game.
NORFOLK ACADEMY
Coach: Mary Werkheiser.
Last year: Not provided, but second in the TCIS and tournament champion.
1995 record: 2-0, 8-2.
Returning starters: Liz Enright, junior keeper; Mary Burroughs, junior halfback; Alli George, junior halfback; Katie Deal, senior halfback; Kate Rueger, senior midfielder; Tricia Voyer, junior midfielder; Mason White, sophomore forward; Jennifer Holbrook, junior forward; Merrick Michaels, sophomore forward; Courtney Coalter, freshman forward; Emily McKnight, sophomore sweeper.
Top newcomers: none mentioned.
Outlook: Academy returns its entire starting lineup, making it easy to see why the team is favored to repeat as tournament champion. Defense is the team's strength and it's a good thing, as the forward line often has trouble finding the back of the cage.
``They're not scrappy enough in front of the goal,'' Werkheiser said. ``They need to fight harder for that score.''
NORFOLK COLLEGIATE
Coach: Kathy Miller.
Last year:, 4-2 league, 9-8 overall.
1995 record: 0-1, 7-5.
Returning starters: Elsa Lazaron, senior defender; Anne Larus, senior forward; Katie Keifner, senior forward; Sky Montgomery, senior defender; Katherine Laine, junior forward; Chelsea Dailey, junior keeper; Sally-Ann Kass, junior defender; Harper Meredith, junior forward; Courtney Zinouis, sophomore defender; Marsha Pascual, sophomore defender.
Top newcomers: Paige Eisengeiss, junior forward.
Outlook: Many of the players have been together for several years. Miller says that is a big reason why there should be some improvement. ILLUSTRATION: TIDEWATER CONFERENCE FIELD HOCKEY
Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Heather Rountree, a senior, has returned to play forward at
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy.
by CNB