THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 28, 1996 TAG: 9603270146
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
WANT TO SEE a group of girls tennis coaches roll their eyes? Tell 'em Lakeland's Anne Bender says this is a rebuilding year.
To be fair, the Cavaliers are losing three members of a team that reached the Group AA state final a year ago, including the Bay Rivers District singles champion. But that still leaves three tournament-tested veterans and a group of newcomers who, because of the Cavaliers' extended postseason run, were able to continue training last season a full three weeks after most teams had packed up their gear.
``(Lakeland's) still got to be the team to beat,'' Southampton coach Diane Seward said.
How the Cavaliers develop this season takes on added significance in light of their move to Group AAA next season. The Southeastern District plays girls tennis in the fall. If Lakeland's young players mature as expected during the season, then continue working out during the summer, they could have the jump on their new league rivals when play begins in September.
Franklin and Poquoson appear to be Lakeland's most likely challengers, with York and perhaps even Southampton also in pursuit.
In the TCIS, Nansemond-Suffolk has won or tied for the conference title nine straight years, but suffered major graduation losses and could be challenged by Norfolk Collegiate. The teams will meet April 4 in a nonconference match at N-SA.
Capsules of area teams:
FRANKLIN
Coach: Mary Lilley
Key players: Dana Roberts, Jr.; April Kitchen, Jr.; Erin Turner, So.; Amie Slaton, Fr.; Ann Young, So.; Erin Bergeron, Fr.
Outlook: Lilley lost a lot with the graduation of Winston Forbes and Traci Shirley, district doubles champions a year ago and the team's top players for four years. But there's still enough talent on hand to allow the Broncos to have a say in the Bay River championship race.
LAKELAND
Coach: Anne Bender
Key players: Lisa Allmond, So.; Angela Jones, Sr.; Kelly Lewis, Sr.; Kristy Gibson, Jr.; Carla King, Fr.; Amanda Joyner, Fr.
Outlook: Last season was a magical one for the Cavaliers, who romped through the district and region unbeaten until bowing in the state final. Three starters, including district singles champion Mary Donnan Debranski, have graduated, but the presence of Allmond, Jones and Lewis should give Lakeland enough to be a beast in the Bay Rivers. Another run at a state title seems unlikely, but with King and Joyner headlining a talented cast of freshmen, it probably won't be long before the Cavaliers are loaded again.
NANSEMOND RIVER
Coach: Darryl Yandle
Key players: Heather Todd, Sr.; Lindsey Duke, Jr.; Liz Pearson, Sr.; Cynthia Evans, Jr.; Ashley Alston, Fr.; Meghan Craft, Jr.
Outlook: Not a lot of experience on hand for first-year coach Yandle, who formerly worked with the boys team. But the sport is starting to catch on, as the first workout drew more than 30 candidates.
SOUTHAMPTON
Coach: Diane Seward
Key players: Jennifer Blankenship, Sr.; Kelly Wilder, Sr.; April Bussells, Sr.; Jama Weist, Fr.; Dorothy Underwood, So.; Sherri Garris, So.
Outlook: Three returners - Blankenship, Wilder and Bussells - will lead the Indians in their quest for improvement on last season's 9-5 record. They'll man the top three spots, with newcomer Bussells providing a solid No. 4. If these players perform up to their capabilities, Seward thinks a third-place district finish is realistic.
SMITHFIELD
Information was not available.
NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK ACADEMY
Coach: Ginger Owen
Key players: Michelle Grover, Fr.; Kelly Walls, 8th-grader; Robin Lindner, Sr.; Susan Eitelman, Jr.; Sarah Huber, Sr.; Ginna Brewbaker, 8th-grader.
Outlook: How much have the Saints lost from last season? Of the six N-SA players who reached TCIS singles finals last year, only Grover is back. Lindner, No. 7 a year ago, is now at No. 3. But there's a talented group of newcomers on hand, led by No. 2 Walls, whose been sidelined by an ankle injury but is expected back sometime in the next two weeks. Owen traditionally puts no pressure on her players to live up to the Saints' past successes, a trait that figures to be particularly important given the youth of this group.
SOUTHAMPTON ACADEMY
Coach: Terry Bell
Key players: Sarah Rawlings, Jr.; Brandy Bunn, Jr.; Francis Babb, Sr.; Maryanne Mobley, Fr.; Samantha Jones, Jr.; Anne Councill, 7th-grader.
Outlook: Team won just one match a year ago but should improve with five of six starters returning. Bell predicts a middle-of-the-pack finish. ILLUSTRATION: File photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Senior Angela Jones returns as a key player for Lakeland High
School's tennis team.
by CNB