THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509150222
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 140 lines
THE SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT girls volleyball teams are pumped up for a tough season.
Although Western Branch and Indian River are favored to vie for the district title, teams appear more evenly matched than in the past. Great Bridge made a solid run late in the season last year and could be the spoiler of the district.
Western Branch and Indian River are not strangers to one another. Last year, the Bruins and Braves clashed twice in the regular season with Indian River winning each match in five games. The Bruins responded with wins in the district and Eastern Region finals.
Western Branch remains powerful this year, returning five starting seniors. Outside hitter Jaci Morris, middle hitter/middle blocker Katie McFail, outside hitter Amanda Atkins, outside hitter/setter Calee Morris and back row specialist/outside hitter Holly Savage bring tournament experience to the court. A total of 12 Bruins return for coach Jim Stanko. The addition of freshman Andrea Bunch, a back row specialist, keeps the Bruins on track for a title run.
Indian River can also be dangerous to opponents, returning starting middle hitter LaTisha Grevious, outside hitter Elizabeth Morgan, Maria Astudillo, Jennifer Burns and Quiana White. Linda Johanson, a setter from Sweden, rounds out the core.
Great Bridge coach Ryan Wieck has beefed up his roster. Eight experienced Wildcats team with four solid newcomers to help the Wildcats maintain momentum.
Churchland, in its second season, and Deep Creek are poised to continue the building process with a solid slate of players.
CHURCHLAND
Coach: Bobbi Shuler Conrad
Assistant coaches: Ken Strickland, Steve Keefer
Last year's record: 3-9 overall, 3-9 district
Returning starters: Courtney Hundley, Sr., outside hitter; Olivia Monis, Sr., outside hitter; Shelly Singleton, So., middle hitter; Jamie Slager, Jr., outside hitter; Blanca Vazquez, Jr., outside hitter; Ehran Vogt, Jr.
Top newcomers: Megan Snyder, Jr., setter/ middle hitter; Melissa Betts, Fr., middle hitter/outside hitter; Kate Keefer, So., setter/ middle hitter; Kim Keefer, So., outside hitter; Stephanie Looney, So., hitter; Sarah Joyner, Fr.; Betsy Facenda, Fr.
Outlook: ``We should be a stronger squad this year due to a year of experience under our belts and the addition of transfer player Megan Snyder as setter,'' Conrad said. Snyder transferred from Green Run.
DEEP CREEK
Coach: Barbara Stephenson
Last year's record: 7-7, 5-7
Returning starters: Heather Neidermeier, So., outside hitter; Stacie Watson, Jr., outside hitter; Glenda Brinson, Jr., setter; Nicole Atterberry, Jr., outside hitter; Melissa Hollobaugh, Jr., outside hitter; Keri Carlsen, Sr., setter.
Top newcomers: ``Five freshman from the middle school, including Lakeila Whitaker, are making their presence felt,'' Stephenson said.
Outlook: ``This team is going to surprise many,'' Stephenson said. ``They are no longer the inexperienced group from last year. They are working very hard and having fun . . . .''
GREAT BRIDGE
Coach: Ryan Wieck
Last year's record: 11-4, 9-3
Returning starters: Jill Ferguson, Sr., outside hitter; Crystal Lassiter, Sr., middle hitter; Lisa Gasser, Sr., outside hitter; Melissa Wooldridge, Jr., middle hitter/back row specialist; Anna Oliver, Jr., setter; Mandy McManus, Jr., setter; Melissa Morgan, So., middle hitter/setter; Lindsay Kennedy, So., outside hitter/setter
Top newcomers: Brandy Adams, Jr., back row specialist/ setter; Amanda Hebert, So., back row specialist/outside hitter; Shelley Wineken, Fr., setter; Meredith Ruby, Fr., back row specialist/middle hitter
Outlook: ``This is a hard-working, experienced group of girls,'' Wieck said. ``We look forward to a successful season. In addition, five of the 12 girls are ninth- and 10th-graders, so hopefully we are laying the groundwork to ensure future success.''
INDIAN RIVER
Coach: Linda Rice
Last year's record: 13-3, 12-2
Returning starters: LaTisha Grevious, Sr., middle hitter; Elizabeth Morgan, Sr., outside hitter; Maria Astudillo, Sr.; Jennifer Burns, Jr.; Quiana White, Jr.
Top newcomers: Linda Johanson, setter.
Outlook: ``I think we all stand a good chance,'' Rice said. ``I think we're going to be competitive. We are working real hard. I have a lot of freshmen coming up.''
OSCAR SMITH
Coach: Lynette Reuss
Last year's record: 6-8, 6-8
Returning letterwinners: Diana Golt, Sr., setter; Brooke Lynch, Jr., outside hitter; Lisa Wiehe, Sr., outside hitter; Tamisha Nickens, sr., outside hitter; Wendy Golt, So., setter.
Top newcomers: Sharnnia Artis, So., outside hitter.
Outlook: ``We're real positive,'' Reuss said. ``I think they're real cohesive and work really well together. I think that will push them further ahead than we would have been.''
WESTERN BRANCH
Coach: Jim Stanko
Last year's record: 17-4, 13-3
Returning starters: Jaci Morris, Sr., outside hitter; Katie McFail, Sr., middle hitter/middle blocker; Amanda Atkins, Sr., outside hitter; Calee Morris, Sr., setter; Holly Savage, Sr., back row specialist/outside hitter; Cathy Arnett, Jr., setter; Tiffani Sykes, Jr., middle blocker; Melanie Dembowski, So., back row specialist; Sarah Bush, Jr., middle blocker/ outside hitter; Lindsay Forehand, So., setter/ outside hitter; Christina Perkinson, So., middle blocker; Millette Green, So., outside hitter.
Top newcomers: Andrea Bunch, Fr., back row specialist.
Outlook: ``We expect to do very well,'' Stanko said. ``We just came back from a tournament in Hilton . . . we won the tournament.''
WILSON
Coach: Connie deBardelaben
Last year's record: 0-14, 0-14
Returning starters: Erica Goral, So.; Katherine Jacobsen, So.; Lynsey Ellis, So.; Veronica Curry, Sr.; Carrie Holley, Jr.
Top newcomers: Melinda Ayers, Sr.; Tiffany Davis, So.; LaToya Jenkins, So..
Outlook:``We will improve our competitive spirit,'' deBardelaben said. ILLUSTRATION: File photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Western Branch and Kempsville met in the Eastern Regional Volleyball
Tournament last year.
Photos
Quiana White
Jill Ferguson
File photo by MARK MITCHELL
Western Branch Coach Jim Stanko has 12 returning players.
by CNB