THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 23, 1996 TAG: 9610220124
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 88 lines
THE COX GIRLS volleyball team was serious from the start.
For pre-district season games, the Falcons warmed up on top state powers like two-time state champion Hylton, L.C. Byrd and Quince Orchard (Maryland).
The Falcons returned home and continued the winning trend, posting an undefeated 18-0 record, 14-0 in the Beach district, as of Monday. Only Bayside and Kempsville remain in the regular season.
Cox is the only undefeated team in South Hampton Roads and is currently ranked No. 1 in the area. The Falcons have already won the Beach District regular season title and the top seed in the postseason tournament.
``It's great,'' senior setter Katherine Dunford said. ``It hasn't exactly been easy. We've had some pretty good matches, people have given us a fight.''
But have failed to overcome the newly offensive Falcons.
``We've been a defensive team,'' Dunford said of the Cox teams of the past. ``We haven't been as strong at the net. It helped getting Brooke and Katie.''
Brooke Stefansson moved from Chicago in August and the senior hitter immediately impacted the Falcons. Katie Gilman is the lone freshman on the team.
Stefansson leads the Falcons in kills with 109. Aside from impacting the Falcons at the net, Stefansson easily melded into the close-knit group.
``I think here, my team is more together and plays more as a team,'' she said. ``Up there (in Chicago), we all had the talent but didn't put it together.''
Putting it together has the Falcons' strength. To achieve their goals, the players have evinced unselfish attitudes and drawn together to overcome top Beach contenders Salem, Kempsville and Tallwood.
``We have a group of individuals who work very well together,'' Coach Claire LeBlanc said. ``I think everybody has accepted her role graciously, there has been no animosity. It's a special group of girls. With nine seniors - eight we've had since they were freshmen - they know what it is they want and have worked hard to get there.''
What the Falcons want is a trip to the regional and state tournament. LeBlanc is cautious, but the players are excited about a potential title run.
``We'll take it one tournament at a time,'' LeBlanc said. ``Before the season, we wanted to start with the district tournament. We've re-evaluated since then . . . We're at the point right now where it's exciting to think of the possibilities. It's been fun.''
The possibilities become realities starting Oct. 28 in the Beach district tournament to be played at Tallwood High. The Falcons will be the top seed. Leading the Falcons' attack will be Dunford, Karri Attinger, Stefansson, Gilman, Lydia Cuthrell, Alison Foy and Christi Attinger.
In addition to her numerous assists, Dunford has collected 31 aces, 57 digs and nine solo blocks this season and is considered an excellent defensive player. The four-year starter is a two-time first team All-Beach district selection. LeBlanc says Dunford is also an on-court leader who can motivate her teammates and come through in the crunch.
Karri Attinger, a sophomore, has 52 kills, 24 aces and 127 digs this season. She is deemed a utility player by LeBlanc, one who plays all the way around, is a very good server and the best digger on the team. Attinger is a very steady, dependable player.
Stefansson was considered a ``Christmas present in August'' by her coach. She has lived up to the billing, adding 10 aces and 83 digs to her kill totals. Very competitive, Stefansson is often the ``big play'' player on the team, showing intensity on the court.
Gilman has 11 aces, 81 kills and 51 digs. According to LeBlanc, Gilman has a lot of court savvy and is a steady, committed player. Her serve has steadily improved and she is the leading blocker on the team with 23 solo rejections.
Cuthrell, a senior, is athletic and quick, managing to grab balls others could not play. She is a good blocker with a strong arm who has worked to continually toughen her game. She has posted four aces, 23 kills, 42 digs and 19 solo blocks.
Foy, also a senior, is a powerful middle and outside hitter who can also block well. She makes few mistakes and rotates across the front row. Foy has 35 kills, 22 digs and 20 blocks.
Rotating with Foy is senior Christi Attinger. Attinger is another excellent defensive player who is also a solid digger with a dangerous serve. She has cracked 15 aces, six kills and 55 digs.
These seven players are the core of the Falcons' effort to win the district tournament and advance to the regional, then state tournament.
If they advance, the Falcons could again face Hylton. A team that inadvertently started the Cox win streak.
``Confidence breeds confidence,'' LeBlanc said of the early-season tournament sweep. ``Every match we've played, every win we've managed has reinforced the fact that we can play with anybody.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Katherine Dunford
Senior leads Cox attack
KEYWORDS: GIRLS VOLLEYBALL by CNB