THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 7, 1996 TAG: 9601050177
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
IT DIDN'T TAKE long for Nansemond River volleyball coach Nancy Richey to break a smile after the Warriors suffered a three-game loss to Fort Defiance in last year's Group AA state quarterfinals.
Sure, she was upset about losing, even if it was to the eventual state champions, but Richey only had to think of the seven juniors on last year's team to wipe the frown from her face.
``You look at that and say, `We lost, but all right we've got everybody coming back next year,' '' Richey said. ``(Losing in a state quarterfinal for the second year in a row) put a desire in these kids.''
Nansemond River is proving Richey right. So far this season the Warriors are 9-0 overall and 5-0 in Bay Rivers District play. They went 22-0 against district opponents, including nondistrict matches, last year and haven't lost a Bay Rivers game since the 1993-94 season.
``We really don't think about (the district winning streak),'' said Heather Behrends, one of the Warriors' seven seniors. ``We just communicate real well on the floor and everything's been clicking.''
``If we win we just put it away and focus on the next game,'' said senior Wakeelah Shabazz.
Richey said her seven seniors - Behrends, Shabazz, LaToya Crocker, DeDe Duffy, Kari Harrell, Chrissy Mims and Elizabeth Pearson - have helped instill a sense of confidence in Nansemond River's younger players.
``A lot of it is just their attitude,'' Richey said. ``Most of them play other sports so they're used to pressure. They just don't like to lose.''
Nansemond River's attitude is only one thing the rest of the Bay Rivers teams have to worry about.
``I don't know if anybody will challenge them,'' Franklin coach Marilyn Dull said. ``They've got consistent play, excellent defense and excellent floor coverage.''
Said Lakeland coach Suzanne Rice, ``(Nansemond River) is very skilled and experienced with a lot of depth. They don't rely on any one player.''
A balanced attack is one reason the Warriors expect to return to the state tournament.
``Our first goal was to win the (Nansemond River Tipoff) tournament and take one thing at a time,'' Richey said. ``We want to get further in state. That's our overall goal.''
Until then, the Warriors know that first things come first. They need to avoid being overconfident and win the Bay Rivers District.
``(Being undefeated) makes other teams play their hardest,'' said Shabazz, ``so we can't get cocky.''
``We have to think about each match as it comes,'' Richey said. ``Each match scares me.''
For now though, the Nansemond River volleyball team is frightening others. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Nansemond River senior Chrissy Mims will be a key in the team's
success this season.
by CNB