THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 7, 1996 TAG: 9601050176
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
While the Nansemond River girls volleyball team continues to dominate the Bay Rivers district, other area teams have struggled. Most coaches said Franklin is one of the few schools with a shot at stopping the Warriors' district winning streak.
Here is roundup of area Bay Rivers girls volleyball teams with their records before Thursday's games:
FRANKLIN (6-3 overall, 3-1 Bay Rivers): The Broncos are finally at full strength after playing the first few weeks without several players due to illness or injury. Coach Marilyn Dull said Franklin will need its returning players to jell quickly to have any chance of challenging Nansemond River near the end of the season. They'll also need better passing, an area in which the Broncos have been weakest.
Dull said senior Jennifer West has had her ``usual strong games,'' while sophomore Ann Young also has helped lead the Franklin offense.
LAKELAND (4-5, 3-2): Coach Suzanne Rice said the Cavaliers are playing well but still have room for improvement.
``We need to put more balls away and stay consistent with our serving,'' Rice said. ``We've been passing the ball really well.''
Junior Kristy Cornette has been Lakeland's most consistent passer and server, while senior hitters Angela Jones and Kelley Lewis also have contributed.
SMITHFIELD (1-6, 0-5): The Packers had hoped to be one of the district's most improved teams but have failed to find a consistent offensive punch, according to coach Jerry Tenney.
``We haven't put all the pieces together in one game,'' he said. ``We've been decent on defense, but we've had to play it a lot and have put too much pressure on it. If we can develop an offense, I think we'll be competitive.''
Tenney said bright spots for Smithfield have included senior hitter Robbin Hall, who has ``shown signs of really coming into her game,'' and junior setter Leanne Elliott, who has been ``a pleasant surprise.''
SOUTHAMPTON (0-5, 0-5): Despite being winless, Indians coach Diane Seward said she has been pleased with her team's competitiveness. Southampton has lost three-game matches to Bruton and York and have ``hung tight'' in most of their other games.
The Indians also have been victims of a rough, early schedule. They've only played one home game and traveled to York, Bruton and Poquoson in a seven-day stretch.
Junior Shanette Gary, who leads the team in kills, and senior Latoya Adkins have paced Southampton. by CNB