THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 5, 1996 TAG: 9611050435
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: PROFILE
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 102 lines
Kevin Jones has a killer instinct that enables him to make or break a team. In the past two years, he has led two different high school boys volleyball teams to championships.
Soon, his attention will turn to an even tougher feat - breaking into the ranks of college play.
Despite the fact that the 6-foot-2 First Colonial senior is this area's top player and a true Division I prospect, the college scholarship numbers are as intimidating as Jones' stats.
There are only 25 Division I men's volleyball programs, mostly on the West Coast. The NCAA allows each of these schools to use 4.5 scholarships, though they can be parceled out to as many players as a school deems necessary under the total financial cap.
Jones, who will be playing in the Eastern Region boys volleyball tournament that begins today at Tallwood, is realistic about his potential to grab a piece of a scholarship off the bat.
``I'm hoping to get maybe a partial academic scholarship,'' Jones said. ``It's almost impossible for a men's player to get a scholarship. I don't expect to get a scholarship, definitely not as a freshman, possibly I can as a sophomore.''
Attracting the attention of recruiters 3,000 miles away is a common problem volleyball players from this side of the country face. Jones is creating a video tape of his on-court prowess to send to recruiters nationally.
``It's hard to be seen, but word of mouth and how well I advertise myself will make the difference,'' Jones said. ``I have a video of myself from high school and Junior Olympics. That's the only way.''
According to UCLA sports information director Rich Bertolucci, players annually send tapes. In fact, the Bruins - who have won 16 national titles - recruited and signed three top players in recent years sight-unseen. A Wisconsin star sent a ``crude tape that ended up being a source of humor,'' but made an impression on the coaching staff. He became a starter as a freshman.
``Surprisingly, over the last several years, some of our best players have come from out of state,'' Bertolucci said. ``If a player is that good, we'll take them from anywhere.''
In recent years, only two boys from South Hampton Roads have played Division I volleyball - Kempsville's Mike Duckworth and Green Run's Chris Caldwell. Both are at George Mason University. Neither played in high school.
Jones' highlight tape could include his soaring spikes and diving digs, his powerful jump serve and his ability to block. Perhaps his greatest asset is his ability to follow the ball once he leaves the floor.
``There are a few things he can do that most players can't,'' First Colonial coach Mark Lottinville said. ``He's very effective on a broken play or bad set. Kevin can still get something out of it. He not only gets the ball in, but he can still hurt other teams.''
Coaches warn their teams about Jones. Players want to be him. Jones just wants to keep playing.
``I hope I can accomplish everything I accomplished last year,'' he said. ``I hope to sign with a good college by the end of the school year and I hope my Junior Olympic team does well at nationals.''
Last fall, Jones earned virtually every high school honor available to him. He was the Beach District Player of the Year and a member of the All-Region first team as he led Tallwood to the Beach District and Eastern Region titles.
He moved to the First Colonial school district in the offseason and promptly turned a good Patriots team into one that went undefeated in the regular season.
Although Jones' high school career has been outstanding - this year he has 198 kills with a 38 percent hitting efficiency, 73 digs, 27 blocks and an 87.5 percent serving accuracy - it is his Junior Olympic play that holds the key to that rare scholarship offer.
``For my volleyball career, my senior year is not that big in particular,'' he said. ``Junior Olympics is more important.''
Jones has been outstanding in Junior Olympics play, too. Last year, his team finished 31st out of 94 at the nationals in San Jose, California. College scouts were there. His team defeated Richmond for the regional title and finished fifth in the East Coast championships, where he was named to the East Coast All-Tournament team.
Jones is closing no college options right now, appearing to eye the West Coast wistfully, but concentrating on programs in the East and Midwest like Penn State, Ball State, Ohio State and George Mason.
Wherever he goes, Jones is looking forward to the challenge of playing at the college level.
``It'll be a lot different, because not many people make it,'' he said. ``The level of play is extremely high. If I played Division I, I definitely would not start as a freshman, that's something that takes a lot of practice and a lot of work. Coaches pick players on potential, you have to learn a lot once you're there.''
The potential is there. All Jones has to do is prove it to a Division I coach. ILLUSTRATION: With only 25 Division I volleyball schools, Kevin
Jones knows how rare a scholarship is. by CNB