DATE: Tuesday, November 25, 1997            TAG: 9711220623

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C4   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: ALL TIDEWATER

The All-Tidewater Teams were selected by The Pilot Sports Staff in

consultation with area coaches.

SOURCE: BY BRIAN J. FRENCH, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   61 lines

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: NO ONE PLAYS AT HARMON'S LEVEL JENNY HARMON, SALEM, SR., HITTER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

No one plays at Harmon's level

In filling out his ballot for the All-Tidewater player of the year, Salem coach Owen Dixon boasts senior hitter Jenny Harmon is ``the most recruited (boys or girls) volleyball player ever in the state of Virginia,'' and that ``no one plays at the level Jenny does.''

Idle bragging? Hardly. Harmon has been at least a co-player of the year in the Beach District the last three years, made the inaugural All-Tidewater first team last season and won the Gatorade state player of the year award as a junior.

And before she shuffles off to Virginia (the winner of a six-school sweepstakes for her services), Harmon takes possession of one more honor: All-Tidewater player of the year.

Harmon recorded 307 kills (with a .355 kill rate), 95 digs and 95 blocks for the Sun Devils (19-2), who went undefeated during the regular season and advanced to their first-ever state championship match this year by following team captain Harmon's cue.

``The first time I won a (player of the year) award, I was going crazy,'' Harmon said. ``But now, I just appreciate every award for what it is. This is a great honor.''

Joining Harmon on the first team:

Sarah Neaves, Tallwood: The co-Beach player of the year with Harmon. Neaves shined in her senior season, with 183 kills, 128 digs and 95 percent serving accuracy for the Lions.

Melissa Morgan, Great Bridge: Last season, the Wildcats advanced to the Eastern Region tournament, and Morgan made the All-Tidewater first team. This year? Same song, second verse. The senior had 17 kills in Great Bridge's two region playoff matches and 13 digs in a semifinal loss to Salem.

Katie Gilman, Cox: The first sophomore in All-Tidewater first team history, and for good reason. Gilman had 187 kills and a Beach District-high 256 digs for the Falcons, state champions a year ago.

Jacquelyn Costa, Salem: Wondering how Harmon got her 307 kills? Costa's a big part of the answer. The senior set for 738 assists this year. The Mills Godwin strategy for beating Salem in the state finals wasn't so much avoiding Harmon as it was keeping the ball from Costa.

Arlene Pineda, Tallwood: The Lions' emotional firestarter, Pineda's enthusiasm as team co-captain quickly spread to her teammates, who responded with a best-ever senior season. It also helped she had 107 digs and 392 assists in the regular season.

Heather Niedermeier, Deep Creek: The Campbell-bound senior had 51 service aces, 71 kills and 46 blocks and the title of ``floor coach'' in pacing the Hornets. Niedermeier was a second-team All-Tidewater pick last year. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]

Jenny Harmon

[Color Photos of First Team]

[Roster of Second Team]

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