THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 13, 1995 TAG: 9512120100
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 113 lines
NORFOLK ACADEMY posted an undefeated season en route to winning the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools girls volleyball title last season.
This season, the Bulldogs are poised for another championship run but must mature quickly. Academy has the height and depth to compensate for the loss of six seniors and to intimidate opponents at the net.
This season, the Bulldogs face stiffer competition. Norfolk Collegiate players spent the offseason beefing up their skills in the fiercely competitive doubles' beach competition and their hard work paid off last week as the Oaks posted a nonconference win over the Bulldogs.
The Oaks have perhaps their strongest team ever. After two second-place finishes, Collegiate is hungry to bring the title home.
A look at South Hampton Roads teams in the TCIS:
NORFOLK ACADEMY
Coach: Susan Fleenor (138-22 in seven years).
Last season: 25-0 overall, 9-0 TCIS.
Impact players: Jackie Johnson, 5-7, outside hitter, Sr.; Jessica Hirsch, 5-5, setter/outside hitter, Sr.; Kendra Robins, 5-6, setter/outside hitter, Jr.; Erica Blackman, 5-2, setter, Sr.; Elizabeth Booton, 5-3, defensive specialist, Sr.
Newcomers to watch: Catherine Ward, 6-1, middle hitter, Sr.; Sonya Szentpetery, 6-0, midle hitter, Fr.; Jenny Clark, 5-5, outside hitter, Jr.; Beth Finch, 5-8, outside hitter, Jr.; Ileana Drinovan, 5-10, middle hitter, So.; Ashanti Blaize, 5-3, outside hitter, So.; Mia Noffsinger, 5-8, defensive specialist, So.
Outlook: Norfolk Academy has incoming height and depth to compensate for the loss of six players.
NORFOLK COLLEGIATE
Coach: Tara Voke (28-8 in two years).
Last season: 14-4, 7-2.
Impact players: Melanie Sandford, 5-11, middle hitter, Sr.; Elizabeth Swearingen, 5-7, middle hitter, Jr.; Karen Reina, 5-7, outside hitter/setter, So.; Erin McElroy, 5-7, outside hitter/setter, Jr.; Heather Waters, 5-6, outside hitter, Jr.; Chelsea Dailey, 5-6, outside hitter, Jr.; Katherine Klein, 5-6, setter/outside hitter, Fr.
Newcomers to watch: Carol Baker, 5-5, outside hitter, Jr.; Meagan Brawley, 5-6, outside hitter, fresh.
Outlook: The Oaks lost only setter Elizabeth Dawan from last season. If they settle in with a solid setter, their depth and talent should enable them to challenge strongly for the title.
CATHOLIC
Coach: Owen Dixon (second year).
Last season: 12-7 overall.
Impact players: Erin Osborne, 5-7, setter, Jr.; Michele Phillips, 5-7, setter, So.; Jessica Herrera, 5-6, swing, Jr.; Chrissy Forbes, 5-11, middle hitter, 5-11.
Newcomers to watch: Mariana Stefonowich, 5-9, middle hitter, Fr.
Outlook: Although the Crusaders are a young team, they have key players with Junior Olympic experience returning and entering the program. According to Dixon, ``If they do not get discouraged early in the development part of the season, we could be a spoiler by February tournament time.''
NORFOLK CHRISTIAN
Coach: Nancy Rook (sixth year).
Last season: Record not available.
Impact players: Lynn Merkel, 5-9, setter/outside hitter, Sr.; Apryl Prentiss, 5-5, outside hitter, Sr.; Kristin Brown, 5-8, outside hitter/middle blocker, Jr.; Gretchen Cooper, 5-10, middle blocker, Sr.
Newcomers to watch: Bonnie Carter, 5-10, outside hitter/middle blocker, So.; Lindsey Machovina, 5-8, outside hitter/middle blocker, So.
Outlook: The Ambassadors return all but two players and have become more consistent in serving, hitting and in their attitude toward the game. Rook says her newcomers were solid JV players and have adapted well to the varsity system.
GREENBRIER CHRISTIAN
Coach: Angie Moretto (second year).
Last season: 12-8, 4-5.
Impact players: Amanda Havens, middle hitter/setter, Sr.; Michelle Hines, defensive specialist, Sr.; Kelley Holland, outside hitter/setter, Jr.; Tara Garlow, defensive specialist, Jr.
Newcomers to watch: Katie Sherwood, middle hitter/setter, So.; Carolyn Sprankle, outside hitter/setter, Jr.
Outlook: Moretto is anticipating a positive season at Greenbrier Christian. ``All my girls have a great attitude and are eager to learn,'' Moretto said. ``They work hard and put in long hours.''
NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK
Coach: Beverly Nuckles (first year).
Last season: 5-10, 3-5.
Impact players: Allison Williams, 5-6, setter, Sr.; Sarah Whitlock, 5-7, middle hitter, Jr.; Cindy Santure, 5-3, outside hitter, Jr.; Jamie Harris, 5-4, hitter/setter, Jr.; Melissa Steele, 5-6, setter, Jr.
Newcomers to watch: Sarah Putnam, 5-7, middle hitter, Sr.; April Wescott, 5-1, outside hitter, Jr.
Outlook: The Saints have some basic skills and a strong interest in improving, Nuckles is hoping they can learn a more progressive game.
CAPE HENRY
Coach: Donna Roman (second year).
Last season: 0-14, 0-8.
Impact players: Dana Fowler, 5-3, setter, Jr.; Courtney Kight, 5-8, hitter, So.; Jessica Rodriquez, 5-7, blocker, Jr.; Leigh Wilkens, 5-5, blocker, Sr.; Shevika Ward, 5-4, hitter, Jr.
Newcomers to watch: Jessica Zaganczyk, 5-10, hitter/blocker, Sr.; Katie Redmon, 5-10, hitter/blocker, Fr.
Outlook: The Dolphins are concentrating on fundamentals in an effort to upset taller and more experienced TCIS foes. The Dolphins, with five returnees, rely on steady teamwork to keep the ball in play and eliminate mistakes. by CNB