THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 18, 1996 TAG: 9604170156
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: Jami Frankenberry
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
A rebuilding Nansemond-Suffolk Academy girls tennis team was dealt a blow when its top player, freshman Michelle Grover, left the team two weeks ago to get more practice on her own.
The 14-year-old Grover finished as the nation's 17th ranked 14-year-old last year and is ranked in the top ten this season in the Mid-Atlantic region for 16-year-olds. Grover has also won three state championships in the last three years, the 12s once and the 14s twice. Not surprisingly, Grover was slated to play No. 1 for the Saints this season.
``We were having a tough year anyway because we lost eight seniors,'' said Saints coach Ginger Owen, whose team was 3-3 before Tuesday's match at Hampton Roads. ``Obviously it affects our team because she was our strongest player. The other girls will have to hang in there and know that they've got a lot of good years ahead of them.''
Michelle's father, Lee, said it was a difficult decision for Michelle.
``It's tough because she wants to play for N-SA,'' he said. ``But it's hard for her to get the practice time she needs at N-SA to play in the Mid-Atlantics. It's a very difficult region.''
Lee Grover said Michelle practices for at least an hour each day with a partner.
MAKING TRACKS: The Lakeland boys track team continued its early-season domination when it took first place at the Captain's Classic Relays on Saturday. The Cavaliers, who have won three invitational meets this season, finished 51 points ahead of second place Poquoson.
``Basically, we've got seniors that have been running for us for three years,'' said coach James Dabney. ``They know what they have to do.''
LaRon Claude set a meet record in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 40.29 seconds on Saturday and also won the 110 hurdles. Kevin Knight (100 meter run) and Melvin Faulk (200) also placed first for the Cavaliers.
GAME OF THE WEEK: In baseball, Nansemond River hosts Southampton on Friday at 4 p.m. in an early-season Bay Rivers District showdown. The Warriors (6-1 overall, 3-0 district) beat Southampton in three of four games last season, including the Region I final. The Indians (2-3, 2-0) have lost only to Group AAA schools this year.
Coach Phil Braswell said Grayson Craun will start for Nansemond River. Craun is 2-0 and hasn't allowed a run. He pitched a no-hitter against Booker T. Washington last week.
``He's tough,'' Southampton coach Randy Jessee said. ``He pretty much shut us down last year. We just have to be selective and hope we have a chance.''
Jessee wasn't sure who would start for the Indians. William Jones got the victory in both Southampton wins.
ROLLING ALONG: If its first seven matches are any indication, the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy golf team is ready to defend its Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools title for the fourth straight season.
The Saints were 12-0 overall and 6-0 against conference teams before Thursday's contest, winning their matches by an average of 31 strokes over the second place team.
``It's hard to concentrate when you're that many strokes ahead,'' said coach Rick Van Orden, whose team's only scare was a two-stroke victory over Hampton Roads two weeks ago. ``We've got to set personal goals to keep them competitive. We lost three really good players from last year, but have four guys (C.T. Harry, Eddie Bagnell, Sean Dougherty and Ryan Lambert) who are very equal and capable of shooting between 70 and 80 consistently.''
Van Orden said that he doesn't expect the rest of the season to be as easy as the past few weeks. N-SA has two more matches against Hampton Roads and finishes the season at Woodberry Forest, a team that beat the Saints by 20 strokes last year.
FAST STARTERS: Lakeland's 2-1 victory over Nansemond River on Monday gave the Cavaliers a 4-1 record in soccer heading into its district schedule, which begins today against Bruton.
``We're not the fastest team in the world, but we really work hard,'' said coach David Wessel. ``We are aggressive and really hustle so I'm pleased.''
Lakeland's only loss was against Churchland, ranked No. 10 in South Hampton Roads, 2-1 in overtime two weeks ago. The Cavaliers had another shot at the Truckers on Wednesday. by CNB