THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 7, 1995 TAG: 9511070415
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Indian River, Kempsville and Salem each advanced to the semifinal round of the Eastern Region girls volleyball tournament Monday at Tallwood.
Salem coach Owen Dixon opted to play his second-team the opening game against Booker T. Washington. The Beach District teams of Salem and Kempsville were expected to advance past the fledgling Eastern District programs of Booker T. and Maury.
The Eastern District has only had competitive volleyball for two seasons and this was their first appearance in the regional tournament.
Dixon has used the second-team strategy successfully twice this season. Monday night, the hyped-up Bookers (9-5) turned the tables.
``It was my intent to play my second team, play down and still win,'' Dixon said. ``I played them on purpose to give them some experience.''
Booker T. jumped out early on the hitting and serving of Jennell Holloman and Leha Byrd. The Bookers ran up a 7-1 lead before Dixon substituted regular starter Jacquelyn Costa into the game. The Bookers pushed the gap to 14-2, but the Sun Devils settled in and started to rally.
Salem rallied to 14-7, then Patricia Callen served five points and added a pair of kills, pulling the Sun Devils to 14-12, but Holloman aced a serve to win the game.
Salem wasted no time in the final two games, winning 15-3 and 15-7.
Jennifer Blair had five kills, Jenny Harmon served 13-for-14 with seven aces and three solo blocks and Callen closed the game with 11-for-11 serving, including one ace, and six kills.
Holloman had 11 kills and served for five points. Salem (18-3) plays Western Branch (19-0), which had a first-round bye, tonight at 7:30.
Southeastern District runner-up Indian River handily defeated Peninsula winner Tabb 15-4, 15-4.
For Indian River (15-3), Jennifer Burns tallied three aces and three kills in the win. Quiana White and LaTisha Grevious were powerful at the net, forcing side-outs.
According to coach Linda Rice, her two seniors are ready for tonight's semifinal matchup against Kempsville.
``I think it's going to be a pretty competitive game,'' Rice said. ``I think LaTisha and Elizabeth (Morgan) are going to be ready. I think Jennifer Burns served well (Monday night). If she's on, we're going to be in good shape.''
Kempsville coach Mary Sue Wimer agreed it could be a classic matchup. Kempsville (17-4) defeated Eastern District winner Maury 15-4, 15-7.
``We're glad to be going on to the next game,'' Wimer said after the Chiefs' victory. ``They're going to be good competition, but we're ready.''
Maury's Oksana Bouhktina kept the Commodores in the match with three kills, two aces and two blocks. However, the Commodores (8-6) could not overcome the strong hitting of Nicole Boyd and Melanie Freeman. Emerald Zemedkun's topspin serve also troubled the Commodores. Zemedkun had six aces.
Freeman served 7-for-7 with two aces and seven kills, Kelly Sisley served 9-for-9 and Sara Horton served 5-for-5 with one ace.
Kempsville plays Indian River at 6.
In boys action, Tallwood plays Great Bridge at 3 p.m. and Cox plays Western Branch at 4:30. All games are at Tallwood. ILLUSTRATION: Nicole Byrd of Kempsville blocks a ball in the Chiefs 15-4, 15-7
Eastern Region quarterfinal win over Maury Monday.
JIM WALKER/The Virginian-Pilot
by CNB