THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 29, 1995 TAG: 9512280131
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
KEVIN JONES stepped into a starring role at Tallwood this year. The junior outside hitter commanded the court and paced the Lions to victory in the Beach District and the inaugural boys Eastern Region volleyball tournaments.
His efforts were rewarded as the 10 district coaches selected Jones the 1995 Beach Boys Volleyball Player of the Year.
Teammate Chuck Beeson, Brian Smith (Kempsville), Scott Schneider (First Colonial), Jack Wheeler (Ocean Lakes), Jeremy Clardy (Kellam) and Kevin Riley (Cox) were selected for first team honors.
Jones and his teammates amassed an impressive 21-1 record. After an early season loss to First Colonial, the Lions battled to remain undefeated until the finals of the unofficial boys state tournament in Richmond. The Lions were felled 15-13, 15-11 by Clover Hill. Jones, 6-foot-5, hammered 24 kills in the state tournament. Beeson matched the total.
Riley and his fellow Falcons also were formidable foes, finishing second in the district, district tournament and regional tournament to the Lions. Riley, a senior outside hitter and team captain, led the Falcons to an exciting regional final. Cox rallied from an opening game loss to win the second game and pushed the Lions to the wire in a high-caliber 19-17 third and deciding game.
Schneider debuted in the sport this season. After a sprinkling of junior varsity experience, the senior middle hitter stepped up and was the mainstay for the Patriots. His height and strength helped him lead First Colonial to the district semifinals.
Clardy, a back, aided the Knights surprisingly strong season. Kellam came on in the second half of the season to finish in the top four and earn a playoff berth. The Knights advanced to the semifinals of the district tournament before falling to Tallwood.
Smith, a senior outside hitter, powered the Chiefs to a No. 4 regular-season ranking and a fourth-place finish in the district. The team captain's prep career ended in the tournament quarterfinals as Kempsville was upset 11-15, 15-5, 5-15.
Beeson, a senior hitter, was a core offensive player for the Lions. He contributed 24 kills in the unofficial state tournament, 24 in the Eastern Region and 19 in the district tournament.
At Ocean Lakes, Jack Wheeler was a cornerstone in the Dolphins rebuilding efforts. Although the team failed to make the tournament, Wheeler influenced his teammates and district coaches with his talent, focus and dedication.
The second team consisted of Rafael Beltran (Bayside), Ben Young (Princess Anne), Roy Altherr (Green Run), Danny Hewitt (First Colonial), Josh Zuidema (Cox) and Patrick Rooney (Tallwood). ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Scott Schneider
First Colonial senior
Brian Smith
Kempsville senior
Jack Wheeler
Ocean Lakes
Kevin Jones
Tallwood junior
Chuck Beeson
Tallwood senior
Jeremy Clardy
Kellam
Kevin Riley
Cox senior
by CNB