THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510270218
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Can any team touch Western Branch?
The top-ranked girls volleyball team in South Hampton Roads, the Bruins finished the season unbeaten with a 16-0 record.
Western Branch's dominance has rendered Tuesday's Southeastern District tournament at Oscar Smith obsolete for the Bruins - their perfect 12-0 record in district play earned the team an automatic bid to the Eastern Region tournament at Tallwood on Nov. 6.
The only thing at stake is The Streak.
Western Branch's biggest strength is its experience. The Bruins have five senior starters - Jaci Morris, Calee Morris, Katie MacPhail, Amanda Adkins, and Holly Savedge - all of whom can control play.
``They've been talking about this since last year, that they didn't want any losses their senior season,'' said coach Jim Stanko. ``We're going to try to keep it going.''
What remains up for grabs at the district tournament is who will join the Bruins in regional competition. If Western Branch makes it to the district final, its opponent will advance to the region tournament regardless of the outcome. Should Western Branch falter in the semis, the team that wins the district final outright will advance.
Semifinals are Tuesday at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday's final is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Indian River, ranked sixth in the area, comes in as the second seed with a 10-2 record. Both losses were to Western Branch.
``I think the girls will have to go in there and work hard,'' said Braves coach Linda Rice, whose team lost to the Bruins in last year's Eastern Region final. ``Anything can happen.''
Senior co-captain Elizabeth Morgan has remained strong this year, even after moving from middle to outside hitter. Two other seniors, co-captain Latisha Grevious and Maria Astudillo, have also been solid, along with juniors Quiana White and Jennifer Burns.
Both Deep Creek and Great Bridge have also advanced to the district tournament, but seeding was dependent on the outcome of the Deep Creek/Oscar Smith game on Thursday. In all likelihood, the Hornets will be seeded third and will face Indian River in the firstsemifinal.
``I've got a lot of respect for Deep Creek. We don't underestimate them,'' said Rice.
Great Bridge comes into the district tournament hobbling, with several players sidelined by injuries, including spinal surgery and a deep wrist contusion.
``We've just been crushed by injuries and illness. Sometimes we had just six or eight players at practice,'' said Wildcats coach Ryan Wieck.
Wieck's team will probably face Western Branch in the district semifinals. Although Great Bridge is getting solid play out of Jill Ferguson, Crystal Lassiter, and Melissa Morgan, the semifinals are likely as far as the team will go.
``Western Branch is just the class of the district. It's always great to go against the best competition,'' Wieck said. ``If we even have a good showing against them it will speak volumes about how hard these girls have worked.'' by CNB