DATE: Thursday, September 18, 1997          TAG: 9709170196

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   71 lines

NORFOLK SCHOOLS EXPECTED TO VIE FOR TITLE NORFOLK ACADEMY COULD BE THE SPOILER TO NORFOLK COLLEGIATE'S DOMINANCE IN AREA.

Four matches into the girls tennis season, the question has gone from is Norfolk Collegiate the best team in the TCIS to whether the Oaks might be the top squad in South Hampton Roads.

The Oaks have debuted in dazzling fashion by posting decisive victories over Eastern Region champion Cox and Eastern District champ Maury. Their top four players have lost only two team matches in two years.

Norfolk Academy pinned both those losses on the Oaks last season and looms as Collegiate's chief rival this season. The teams meet Friday.

This marks the first season the TCIS has played girls tennis in the fall. Previously it was held in the spring.

A rundown of area TCIS teams:

NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK

The Saints feature perhaps the conference's most impressive newcomer in Melissa Holland, an eighth-grader from Windsor who has posted some impressive results in Mid-Atlantic regional tournaments. Kelly Walls, Ashlyn Revely, Kate Esleeck, Ginna Brewbaker and Elizabeth Jarvis are among the other key performers on what could be the conference's deepest team. Seven returners have starting experience.

NORFOLK COLLEGIATE

The Oaks lost two matches to Norfolk Academy last year but won their 12 others by 9-0 scores. Senior Kimbrough Mauney is one of the conference's top singles players and Melissa Balaban, Karen Reina and Jayme Goldwasser all have at least two years of starting experience. Carla Benson, Lindsey Bangel and Sarah Caplan round out a talented roster.

NORFOLK ACADEMY

The Bulldogs aren't quite as deep as a year ago but, as they are in virtually all sports, should remain a TCIS power. Nationally ranked Michelle Grover has no peer and should easily defend her conference singles title. Jessica Sperling heads a solid cast from 2-6.

CAPE HENRY

The Dolphins have emerged as one of the conference's surprise teams after winning three of their first four matches. Elizabeth Hamlet leads the way and is playing for the third time in four sports seasons. Hamlet played for Cox last fall and the Dolphins last spring. Lisa Ashinoff, Lauren Dixon, Lauren Whitbeck, Amanda Chaves, Clara Malbon, Sophia Yunas and Molly Vaughn have also contributed. The team is coached by Holly Rivers, a starter on the Old Dominion University team last year.

CATHOLIC

The presence of several seniors gives coach David Stubbs the hope that the team can improve on last season's 5-8 record. No. 1 Michelle Phillips, Marjorie Mendoza, Laura Cullen, Mynahgi Hart and Megan Petchel are the returning upperclassmen. Sophomore Marissa Lackman should also start, and freshman help has come from Brazil in the person of Joana Riquet, a foreign exchange student.

NORFOLK CHRISTIAN

A tough early schedule caused the Ambassadors to struggle to an 0-3 start. Number one player Veronica Atamanchuk will lead the way in what looks to be a rebuilding season. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER

Perhaps the conference's most impressive newcomer is Melissa Holland

of Windsor. KEYWORDS: TCIS GIRLS TENNIS PREVIEW

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