DATE: Thursday, August 28, 1997             TAG: 9708270248

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 26   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JAY LIDINGTON, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  108 lines

NEW COACH GIVES MAURY HOPE FOR NEW HEIGHTS

A TEAM UNSEATING Maury atop Eastern District field hockey has proven just about as unlikely as the Commodores getting past their Beach District foes in the playoffs.

But the Commodores, riding a string of district championships dating back to the beginning of the sport in local high schools in 1975, not only want to repeat as champions this year, they want to go at least one step further in the postseason. And that would mean beating a Beach team or two, not an easy task since the Beach District has claimed every state title in the '90s.

Maury is coming off its best season ever. The team made it to the Eastern Region semifinals and posted its first region win (1-0 over Oscar Smith) in 19 tournament appearances.

Charged with taking the team to even greater heights is new coach Kim Decker, a player at Old Dominion from 1991-95 and last year's JV coach at the school. She succeeds longtime coach Pat Panzick, who retired after more than two decades of coaching.

``You know there is a tradition here,'' said Decker, a Pennsylvania native. ``I'm doing everything I can to maintain that tradition.

``But I also want I want the team to compete every game, district or not. We're working to take them to a higher level. Competing with Cox or Kempsville - that's our overall long-term goal.'' The Commodores could face their toughest test in the district from Lake Taylor. Coach Beanie Schleicher returns three starters from last year's team that finished 9-5.

According to an informal poll of the coaches, Maury and the Titans are the top two teams. The other three in the Eastern District are pretty evenly matched.

A preview of district teams:

MAURY

Coach: Kim Decker (1st year)

Last year's record: 13-5-1 overall, 7-0-1 district

Key performers: Julie Bollerup, Sr., F; Lizzy Burge, Sr., B; Erin McCrillis, Sr., B; Lindsey Adam, Sr., B/MF; Sarah E. Bradley, So., MF; Amy Burge, So., MF

Overview: Decker and assistant Renee Houser, both former field hockey players at Old Dominion University, take over a program that has charted the way for field hockey in the Eastern District. Decker coached last year's junior varsity team that finished 8-2-0. Returning varsity starters McCrillis and Burge will lead their team's defense.

LAKE TAYLOR

Coach: Beanie Schleicher, (6th year, 46-30-1)

Last year's record: 9-5 overall, 6-2 district

Key performers: Christina Tarr, Sr., C/F; Danielle Hebert, Sr., RW; April Cullen, So., C/MF; Heather Chance, Fr., LW; Rachel Cauley, So., D; Tracy Tarr, So., MF

Overview: Hebert and Christina Tarr, both first-team all-district last year, are the Titans' only two returning seniors, but Schleicher said her team has quick learners who could surprise some opponents. Cullen, a second-team all-district center and midfielder, will lead the team's defense.

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

Coach: Mary Lib DeLong (6th, 66-27-5)

Last year's record: 8-4-12 overall, 3-4-1 district

Key performers: Sarah Boone, Sr., DB; Tianca Crocker, Sr., F; Leslie Evidente, Sr., MF; Tiffany Green, Sr., MF; Tarrah Turner, Sr., Back; Diana Newcomer, Sr., F; Dana Barnett, So., Back; Regina Henderson, Fr., Back; Michelle Reyes, So., F; Lori Lapeza, So., Goalie; Frances Mitchell, So., F; Faith Ramos, So., MF.

Overview: The Bookers will try to make up for losing 12 seniors from last year's team, including Sherika Sadler, a second-team all-tidewater player and co-athlete of the year at Booker T. As a result, this year's squad has six seniors and no juniors and has DeLong looking forward to the future. ``In a couple years, if the freshmen and sophomores go to camp, they're going to be good,'' she said. ``We may be low in numbers, but in two years, we'll be good.''

NORVIEW

Coach: Kristen Allen (4th fourth year)

Last year's record: 1-12-1 overall, 0-8 district

Key performers: Heather Emerick, Sr., goalie; Amy Fernandez, So., F; Leah Gregoire, So., MF; Melissa Servais, So., F; Michelle Servais, So., D; Neva Payne, So., MF; Rikki Mosimann, So., MF; Michelle Morad, Jr., MF; Ebony Toomer, So., F; Mary Douglas, Fr., MF; Karen Morgan, Fr., D; Kristen Lee, So., F; Jessica Khimes, Fr., F

Overview: Allen's team will be a young one, but more will be expected of them with another year of experience under their belts. All team members attended summer camps and dedicated themselves to summer workouts, Allen said. Sophomore twins Melissa and Michelle Servais, both three-sport athletes at Norview, are among the returning starters.

GRANBY

Coach: Juanita Etheridge (2nd year, 5-11)

Last year's record: 5-11 overall, 2-6 district

Key performers: Karen Allen, Sr., HB/MF; Andrea DuVall, Jr., HB; Jami Wilson, So., Inner Forward; Jennifer Dollar, So., Goalie; Marie Petran, Fr., Wing; Mary McLaughlin, Fr., FB

Overview: Etheridge hopes her team's speed is Comet-like, at least enough so to generate some wins. The team, which features only one returning senior, Allen, is very athletic, quick and aggressive, but also young and inexperienced, she said. Wilson and Dollar were key junior varsity players last year and several freshmen on the team have never played field hockey before. ``You look at the players and you see potential. The attitude is there. That's what makes it neat,'' she said. Even so, Etheridge said she hopes the Comets can score more goals this year. ``We lost a lot of games last year because we couldn't put the ball in the cage,'' she said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON

Kim Decker is the new coach of the Maury field hockey team that is

projected to win the Eastern District again.

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