THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 28, 1995 TAG: 9509260110
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
IN GYMS ACROSS the Eastern District, the usual fall noises of spiked balls and aced serves resound in practice every afternoon. But this year, the sport has a new sound to it.
Booker T. Washington, Granby, Lake Taylor, Maury and Norview have added boys volleyball to their schedules for the first time. The contenders are vying not only for the first district title, but also for a slot in the inaugural regional tournament.
Coaches across the district are looking for girls volleyball powers Maury and Granby to emerge as the top challengers. However, every team is developing quickly and has the power to surprise opponents.
``It's wide open,'' Lake Taylor coach Cubby Morgan said. ``I expect the level of play to quickly improve all around the district.''
Morgan has three seniors, two juniors, six sophomores and two freshmen in his debut season.
At Maury, coach Therese Jilek has been reviewing video tapes and working hard with her players to teach them to have a commanding court presence.
``As far as form goes and playing real volleyball, they know it,'' Jelik said.
Larry White is implementing a solid offensive plan in an effort to put Granby in the lead early. The Comets start 6-foot-2 outside hitter Daniel Brickhouse and 6-4 middle blocker/outside blocker Keith McAllister.
At Norview, coach Vicki Keener brings 10 new players to the court. Booker T. Washington's Wilbert Shearin is building his team around seniors Brian Riddick, Michael Maze and Marcus Simpson. Both teams are looking to gain needed experience this season.
``Every week, we are first looking for improvement with our hitting and spiking,'' Shearin said. ``This year will set the precedent for 1996. The kids are having fun and they are improving.''
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON
Coach: Wilbert Shearin
Expected standouts: Brian Riddick, senior, spiker; Michael Maze, senior, spiker; Marcus Simpson, senior, setter
Outlook: ``We'll see how far we go,'' Shearin said. ``We practice hard and look for good results in every game we play. But if we can't win, and we see improvement in skills, we feel that is a plus.''
GRANBY
Coach: Larry White
Expected standouts: Aron Tabor, outside hitter, 5-foot-11; Brian Jones, setter; Daniel Brickhouse, outside hitter, 6-2; Keith McAllister, middle blocker/outside blocker, 6-4
Outlook: ``We run a modified version of the 4-2 offense, shuffling players in at key positions with the capacity to attack from the back row,'' White said.
LAKE TAYLOR
Coach: Cubby Morgan
Expected standouts: Dan Hall, senior, middle hitter, 6-0, team captain; Robert Estrella, senior, setter, 5-5, team captain; Brian Cortez, 6-0, middle hitter, 6-0; Jason King, sophomore, 5-8, setter; Jason Frizzell, sophomore, 6-1, middle hitter
Outlook: ``The boys play a more power-oriented game compared to the girls,'' Morgan, who has coached both at Lake Taylor, said.
MAURY
Coach: Therese Jelik
Expected standouts: Parker Counsaul, junior, captain; Ricardo Trevisan, middle hitter; Doug Bahl, outside hitter, freshman
Outlook: ``We've watched video tapes and they've really worked on form,'' Jelik said. ``I think they're going to do well. They work well at covering their positions and have great team spirit.''
NORVIEW
Coach: Vicki Keener
Expected standouts: Jonathan Robinson, Willie Richards, Dustin Selig, Mark Sosa, Erick Blatnick, Jeremy Holtzinger, Jeremy Jones, Charlie Elings, Lee Oliveras and Melvin Williams
Outlook: Keener and the Norview players are looking for a solid debut. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY KNAPP
Jon Abels, left, hits the ball to Robert Morrow during a recent
volleyball practice at Booker T. Washington.
by CNB