THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 1995 TAG: 9510130219
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 125 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 by-laws require participation by five schools before a sport is officially recognized. This year seven TCIS 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.''
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy is one of the league's most inexperienced squads. The Saints played only five games last year as a club team and have nine players this season.
``It's hard to drum up a lot of players for a new sport,'' coach Beverly Nuckols said. ``Next year I think we'll have a much better turnout because we didn't get started until the second week of school and students were leery about coming out.''
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,'' Walker said.
Catholic's returning starters have combined with solid backups to become a powerful presence early in the season. The Crusaders are confident they can win the TCIS title and challenge Norfolk Christian's dominance. Last year, Catholic won the unofficial regular-season TCIS crown, but finished second to Norfolk Christian in the tournament.
Catholic senior captain Mike Sachon works to cap an outstanding prep career with the first TCIS title. He is joined on the court by returnees Nick Shawnik, Jeff Alberts, Adam Whisman and Chris deLeon.
Norfolk Christian went 9-1 last year and won its second consecutive ``club'' TCIS tournament 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 for an all-around floor presence.
According to Christian coach Nancy Rook, the practice and experience gained playing the past two year's 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 used the pre-conference part of her schedule to try to tune a young team into a 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.
Greenbrier Christian brings little experience to the floor, but the Gators are charged with the enthusiasm of an incoming program. Senior hitter and blocker Justin Bush will be relied on heavily by coach David Baxter. Baxter is optimistic, but realistic in his opening season goals, working to end up in the top half of the conference.
CATHOLIC
Coach: James Selter
1995 record: 9-1
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 (to TCIS opponents in non-district play).''
GREENBRIER CHRISTIAN
Coach: David Baxter
1995 record: 4-6
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 ACADEMY
Coach: Beverly Nuckols
1995 record: 1-9
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: More than half of the team is playing competitive volleyball for the first time. Said Nuckols, ``This year, we're just looking to see that the team does improve throughout the season. So far they have been.''
NORFOLK CHRISTIAN
Coach: Nancy Rook
1995 record: 5-3
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,'' Rook said. ``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: 1-6 overall
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.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy's John Dragzeth blocks a shot in a match
against Trinity of Richmond.
by CNB