THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, October 3, 1996             TAG: 9610020233
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 22   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   48 lines

SOME OF LAKELAND'S PLAYERS HAD TO PICK BETWEEN SPORTS

Lakeland's girls tennis team had little trouble winning the first Southeastern District championship in school history. And coach Anne Bender had very little difficulty in stopping a practice so the girls could talk about their championship season.

But perhaps the biggest issue for some of the Cavaliers was actually deciding to play tennis.

With Lakeland's and Nansemond River's move to Group AAA this fall, girls from both schools had to make a tough decision.

Instead of field hockey, girls tennis and girls volleyball being spread out over a school year like they are in Group AA's Bay Rivers District, all three sports are played during the fall in the Southeastern. Some of the Lakeland players who also played field hockey or volleyball had to make a choice.

``I still feel pain,'' No. 2 singles player Lisa Allmond said. ``I see them play volleyball and I want to play.''

Allmond, Amanda Joyner, Carla King and Megan Horan may still play volleyball or field hockey - just not competitively for the school.

But if anything, the realignment has benefited the Cavaliers because they essentially had the whole spring and summer to tune up for the new season.

Since Bay Rivers girls tennis is played in the spring, many of Lakeland's girls went straight from high school tennis into playing summer circuits right up until the start of practice Aug. 5.

The Cavaliers had won four district titles and a state championship over the past five seasons going into their inaugural Southeastern campaign.

However, with Great Bridge being a traditional power and Hickory getting a couple of the Wildcats' top players, uncertainty faced Lakeland. But the Cavaliers have handled the challenge with consistent play and talent.

``We're just a good team,'' No. 1 singles player Dawn Harrell said.

Going into Tuesday's season finale against Indian River, Lakeland was 6-0 and had a two-game lead on Hickory, Nansemond River and Great Bridge.

After the district tournament, which begins next Tuesday, the Cavaliers will advance to the Eastern Region tournament the following week.

``It's going to be tough in the regionals,'' Bender said.

With the way the season has gone so far, the regionals may be tougher on the Cavaliers' opponents. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER

``We're just a good team,'' says Lakeland High School's No. 1

singles player Dawn Harrell.

KEYWORDS: GIRLS TENNIS by CNB