THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 12, 1996 TAG: 9611120369
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 63 lines
Tournament girls volleyball returns to the area tonight when Eastern Region champion Cox hosts Central Region runnerup Clover Hill in the quarterfinals of the girls AAA state tournament.
Eastern Region runner-up Salem travels to Central Region winner Mills Godwin in another quarterfinal.
The nine seniors on the Cox squad are making their first appearance in the state tournament. The Falcons completed the first undefeated regular season run in girls Beach District history, then beat Salem to win the Eastern Region tournament. Salem defeated Cox in the Beach District tournament to earn a spot in the championship game, then downed First Colonial to advance to the regional competition.
Tonight's winners advance to the state semifinals Friday at Hylton High in Woodbridge.
Here's a capsule look at tonight's games:
CLOVER HILL
Coach: Sherrill Gray
Record: 19-2
How advanced: Central Region runner-up
About the Cavaliers: Clover Hill won the Dominion District title with an undefeated performance. The Cavs' only losses came at the hands of non-district foe Mills Godwin. All-Region hitters Shelley Sprouse, a 6-foot middle hitter, and Lauren Nussman, a sophomore outside hitter, spark the Cavaliers' offense.
COX
Coach: Claire Le Blanc
Record: 26-1
How advanced: Eastern Region champions
About the Falcons: Cox demonstrated a well-balanced attack throughout the Eastern Region tournament. Senior hitter Brooke Stefansson powered the offense with 36 kills and 17 digs. Setter Katherine Dunford had 85 assists with 10 kills and 17 digs and Karri Attinger tallied 13 kills and 28 digs and Alison Foy had 21 kills and five digs. The Falcons have the ability to hurt an opponent from anywhere on the floor and have virtually no weak spots.
MILLS GODWIN
Coach: Skip Weston
Record: 21-0
How advanced: Central Region champions
About the Eagles: Mills Godwin is the defending state champion. The Eagles have lots of tournament experience - they were the runner-up to Hylton for the state title in 1993 and '94. All-Region hitter Laura Marcuson and outside hitter Sam Kim are dangerous at the net. Kim's twin, Julie, is also a solid hitter in the starting lineup. Other starters include setter Nikki Ford and Angela Needham.
SALEM
Coach: Owen Dixon
Record: 16-6
How advanced: Eastern Region runner-up
About the Sun Devils: Salem has has been solid and near-perfect in tournament action for the past two weeks, handing Cox its only defeat in the Beach District tournament then challenging strongly in the regional final. Hitter Megan Johnson is questionable with a knee injury, but according to Dixon, ``I'd have to shoot her to keep her off the court.'' Hitter Jenny Harmon leads the Sun Devils' attack and is the Beach District co-player of the year. by CNB