THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 10, 1996 TAG: 9607100509
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 52 lines
Liz Pearson saw Tuesday's Virginia High School Coaches Association All-Star girls volleyball game as a warm-up.
The recent Nansemond-River graduate said she was excited and honored to be selected to the 12-member East team. However, she compared the mere three-and-a-half hour pregame practice and ensuing game to a college tryout - something she will soon endure at James Madison University.
``I think it was really good, because in college, of course, you have all good players with good portfolios,'' Pearson said. ``Tryout day will be like this. It may be only one day that you have to show what you can do. It'll be a big adjustment like you needed here.''
Pearson's adjustment was smooth. She was selected to the game one team with Kelly Ford and Amy Fisher of 1995-96 state champion Mills Godwin and Katie MacPhail of Western Branch.
She returned in the third game when the desperate East team played its top six, but the East fell 16-14, 17-15, 15-11 to the West at Hampton University. Western Branch graduate Amanda Atkins played the second and returned with MacPhail and Pearson for the crucial third game.
``It was a lot of fun playing with stars from everywhere,'' Pearson said. ``It's kind of intense because you know everybody is the best from their school. Who's best is better? You know everybody deserves to be here.''
The East dominated the opening points of each of the three games. In the first, the squad built a 12-6 lead before being tied at 14 and tipping a final block attempt.
In the second game, the East again took command, boasting 10-5 and 14-9 leads before again falling as Patrick Henry graduate Rachel Hogan powered three straight kills for the West. In the final game, the West fought back more quickly, overcoming a 9-4 deficit.
``Everybody here was so good,'' said Adkins, who will play for Christopher Newport University this fall. ``It's exciting, just playing with the best in the state.''
MacPhail, who suffered an ankle injury in the state regional playoffs, just completed the Junior Olympic season and has signed with the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She has been playing Tuesday's teammates and opponents for four years in prep and Junior Olympic events.
``We're mostly all on the same skill level,'' MacPhail said. ``It's easier to adapt than when you have 10 levels. I play lots of the girls in Junior Olympics. They're rivals. Now I know them. They're actually pretty good people.''
If nothing else, the event was something each of the players will carry with them as they embark on collegiate careers.
``It was a real honor,'' Pearson said, ``just to know that everybody knows who you are. You know people in your school and district do, but not across the state. It was an honor.'' by CNB