THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996 TAG: 9610180278
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 30 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: 74 lines
THIS TIME LAST year, David Elliot and his Deep Creek volleyball teammates were struggling to a 2-6 record.
Elliot decided it was time for a change.
He joined a Tidewater Volleyball Association team and spent the past six months honing his volleyball skills in the TVA, at the beach and in Deep Creek practice.
Now, it's payoff time. The Hornets, powered by Elliot and power hitters Gary Cox and Matt Turner, have posted a 7-3 district record through Wednesday and are poised to enter the four-team postseason tournament.
``I just practiced hard,'' Elliot said of the transition.
He said the hours logged in TVA play improved his game ``110 percent.'' So did the hours the 5-foot-9 1/2, 148-pound senior sweated out in the weight room.
``I can read the ball more coming over the net,'' Elliot said. ``I can tell where it's going and play it better.''
Plus, he has developed a rapport with his teammates.
``We just play off of each other and know where everybody on the court is,'' Elliot said. ``Each person is a part of you. You know what they are doing.''
In only his second season of high school volleyball, Elliot has become an expert at serving. Deep Creek coach Bob Scott said Elliot usually pulls off a few aces a game, zinging serves past expectant hitters.
``David's a player not much in the limelight, but he works harder than anybody on the team,'' coach Bob Scott said. ``He works unbelievably hard in the weight room. He's just a hard worker.''
Elliot's work includes helping his teammates maintain focus and stay in the game. Off the court, he is a genial, smiling and openly friendly young man. On the court, his eyes are always on the ball. His concentration never wavers.
``I just stay calm,'' he said. ``Looking at films helps. I look really tense on the court because I want to put the ball down on the other side of the court.
``I just think, `We're better than them,' and get it back. You know what you've done in practice and know what you can do. If the other person is that good, then they're going to win anyway.''
His philosophy has helped the Hornets to third place in the district standings behind league-leading Great Bridge and Indian River.
The district is well-balanced, however. Any team can hold court with any other team. Tuesday night, Deep Creek was stunned by Hickory. However, Elliot is confident the Hornets can maintain their focus and make a run at the district and regional titles.
``The toughest in the district would be Great Bridge,'' he said. ``But once we get ourselves playing together as a team and in the right mindset, we're on. You just have to have the right frame of mind. We have the qualities to do it, it's just putting it all together at the same time on the court.''
Volleyball can be a loud sport, with fans screaming in the gym, players celebrating kills and coaches calling in instructions. However, Elliot is used to shutting out the noise and hearing only what is necessary. A career track athlete, he has learned the athletic ropes in an individual sport. That self-discipline carries over to volleyball.
During track season, Elliot runs ``anything over 400'' and pole vaults. The track training also has helped him stay in shape to play sports year-round.
``We're in good physical condition, we don't get tired easily,'' he said. ``We're just able to keep playing without huffing and puffing.''
And playing and playing. Elliot stays busy year-round through his volleyball and track interests. He wouldn't have it any other way.
``I haven't had a break from sports since eighth grade,'' he said. ``I like it like that.
``I have to be doing something all the time. One summer, on the days I didn't do anything, I felt sick to my stomach. I had to be doing something.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MIKE HEFFNER
Deep Creek senior David Elliott has helped the Hornets post a 7-3
district record.
KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL by CNB