DATE: Thursday, September 11, 1997          TAG: 9709100177

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 10   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JAY LIDINGTON, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  106 lines

GRANBY COMETS SEEK THIRD TITLE IN A ROW

With a series of preseason scrimmages under their belts, the Granby Comets begin their quest for a three-peat of Eastern District boys volleyball titles.

Third-year coach Larry White said recently that his team appeared to be coming together - an ideal situation as the season opens.

``We hope to be very competitive as district champs again,'' he said.

The key to a third district title will be getting his team to play well together - as opposed to performing on a high level individually while other teammates struggle, White said.

It's anybody's guess who will claim the district's second Eastern Region tournament berth. Churchland, second a year ago, has few players back. Lake Taylor, which stunned the Comets in the first round of the district tournament, has a new coach.

Here's a look at the Eastern District:

GRANBY

Coach: Larry White

Last year's record: 12-4 overall; 9-1 district

Top returnees: John Dethdy, Jr., Hitter, 5-10; Sammy Edwards, So., Setter, 6-10; Alex Zayas, Sr., Hitter, 5-7; Chris Wood, So., Hitter, 6-2; David Hartnett, So., Hitter, 6-1.

Top newcomers: None provided

Outlook: The back-to-back district champions lost to First Colonial in the regional tournament and will need to work hard to win a third consecutive district title, White said. David Hartnett and Chris Wood are the team's ``big guns.''

CHURCHLAND

Coach: Barbara J. Schiffler (2nd year)

Last year's record: 12-3 overall; 8-2 league.

Top returnees: Jackson Bright, Sr., setter/hitter, 6-0; Jeff Walton, Sr., setter/hitter, 6-0; Albert Fary, Sr., hitter, 6-4; Johnathan Banks, So., setter/hitter, 5-10.

Top newcomers: Kenneth Giacolone, So., hitter, 6-3; Stephen Holland, So., hitter, 6-2; Kenneth Wong, So., hitter, 5-9; Andrew Walton, Fr., hitter, 6-2.

Outlook: Three seniors lead the Truckers, meaning they'll also have to count on a host of underclassmen. Bright is the only returning starter on a team that played this summer in the Young Guns League.

MAURY

Coach: Dawn Cyr (1st year)

Last year's record: 5-5 district

Top returnees: Jonathan Puckett, Jr., setter, 5-6; Abraham Johnson, Jr., setter/passer, 5-5; Richard Barretto, Sr., passer/hitter, 6-0; Michael Vazquez, Jr., hitter, 6-1; Doug Bahl, So., hitter/passer, 5-9; Jeremiah Johnson, Jr., passer, 5-5.

Top newcomers: None provided

Outlook: Cyr and the Commodores are beginning a ``building season,'' working on the fundamentals of hitting, offense and defense, she said. A health and P.E. teacher at the school, Cyr said she'll spend this season and after recruiting players for next season to help her team's depth. Eleven players came out for this year's team, she said.

NORVIEW

Coach: Dan Dail

Last year's record: 8-9 overall, 4-6 district

Top returnees: Willie Richards, Sr., setter/hitter, 5-10; Dustin Selig, Sr., hitter, 5-11; Jon Robinson, Sr., hitter, 5-10; Jeff Halbauer, Sr., hitter, 5-10.

Top newcomers: Stuart Bernazky, So., 5-6; Greg Brown, So., 5-9; Adrian Burke, Jr., 6-2.

Outlook: The Pilots were the district's surprise team last season, rising to as high as No. 5 in the area poll before tailing off late. Norview won't sneak up on anyone this year, but the Pilots now know what it takes to succeed and could improve in Dail's second season. Burke adds some much-needed height.

LAKE TAYLOR

Coach: James Dildy

Last year's record: 8-4 overall, 4-6 district

Top returnees: Sonny Tsang, Jr., setter, 5-10; Brad Travaglio, Sr., utility, 5-11; Joey Tame, Jr., hitter, 6-2; Matt Nienstedt, Sr., hitter, 6-2; Cliff Rinnenberg, Sr., utility, 5-11; Jason King, Sr., utility, 6-0

Top newcomer: Jamyl Boyd, Jr., utility, 6-0

Outlook: The loss to graduation of springy All-Tidewater hitter James Dukes will be felt, but a lot of talent returns and first-year coach Dildy expects to make a run for the district title. The versatility of the Titans' top players is the key, Dildy said.

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

Coach: Ronald Elliott (1st year)

Last year's record: 0-14 overall, 0-10 district

Top returnees: Robert Morrow, Jr., hitter; Steve Byrd, Jr., setter; Oscar Operia, Jr., hitter

Top newcomers: Carlos Shepard, Sr., setter; Travis Mathews, So., hitter; Joshua Shipman, Jr., setter; Adrean Newtown, Sr., setter

Outlook: Elliott, a basketball and softball man by trade, is getting his first shot at volleyball. His goal is simple: Improve the program and have fun. He feels if the Bookers concentrate on fundamentals and the newcomers pick up the game quickly enough, the goals could be achieved. MEMO: No information was provided for Wilson or Norcom. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by HUY NGUYEN

Granby's hopes lie with volleyball players like Sammy Edwards, left,

and Alex Zayas. Third-year coach Larry White said recently that his

team appeared to be coming together. KEYWORDS: EASTERN DISTRICT BOYS VOLLEYBALL

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