THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 15, 1996 TAG: 9602150162
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jami Frankenberry
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
The Southampton Academy girls volleyball team rolled to the Virginia Commonwealth Conference title over the weekend at Brunswick Academy, capping an unbeaten season in which they lost only one game in a match.
The Raiders finished 15-0 and won 45 out of 46 games this season. The only team to beat Southampton Academy in a game was Isle of Wight in the final on Saturday.
``The girls had played everybody twice so they knew what to expect,'' said Raiders coach Beth Hartson, whose team beat the Chargers 15-4, 13-15, 15-1, 15-7 for the championship. ``They knew if they played up to their ability, they would do well. We talked about not letting nerves get to you and not getting overconfident.''
Southampton Academy's Jennifer Pope earned the tournament MVP, while Anna Story, Jessica Pope and Jessica Partridge were named to the all-tournament first team. Wendy Worrell was named to the second team. Isle of Wight placed Kim Chrisman and Lee Jones on the first team and Catherine Turner on the second team.
The Popes, Story, Partridge and Worrell, who were members of the VCC girls basketball championship team, also play softball for Southampton Academy, which begins practice next week.
VCC HOOPS: The Virginia Commonwealth Conference boys basketball tournament gets under way Tuesday. The top four seeds will host a first round game, while the semifinals and finals will be held at Hampden-Sydney College on Feb. 23 and 24.
Isle of Wight coach Benny Vaughn said the Chargers (17-5 overall, 7-3 VCC) could use a first round home game. ``Home court advantage is a key,'' said Vaughn, whose team was tied for second place in the VCC East with Brunswick before Tuesday's game at Brunswick. ``If we gain a first round home game, though, we'll still have a very tough matchup the first night.''
Isle of Wight, ranked No. 6 in this week's Virginia Independent Schools state poll, is bidding to become one of eight small schools to receive an invitation to the state tournament beginning Feb. 27. The state semifinals and finals will be held March 1-2 at North Cross.
SAINTS SWIMMERS: The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy boys and girls swim team will travel to Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham on Friday to compete in the two-day Virginia State Independent Schools Swimming and Diving Championships.
The Saints girls are coming off a sixth place finish in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools championship Saturday. Top finishers for N-SA were Emily Perkins, who finished fourth in the 500-yard freestyle and seventh in the 50 free and Lea Wilson, who placed fourth in the 100 breast stroke.
The Saints boys finished ninth in the TCIS meet and did not have a swimmer in the top five. by CNB