DATE: Thursday, August 28, 1997             TAG: 9708270251

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 18   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  161 lines

NANSEMOND RIVER EXPECTED TO LEAD SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICTBUT THE WARRIORS' TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE AND REGULAR SEASON IS NO PIECE OF CAKE.

FOR ANYONE who thinks the graduation of Southeastern District player of the year Reina Cruz will be the downfall of the Nansemond River field hockey team, think again.

``We should be at least as strong as last year,'' said Bucky Payton, who enters his eighth year as head coach. ``Could be better.''

A myriad of reasons support Payton's optimism and the predictions that Nansemond River will repeat as the district champion:

Sixteen players, including four all-district performers, return from last year's regional-qualifying team.

Team speed that matches any squad around.

And a work ethic that surpasses any of Payton's previous squads.

Simply put, the Warriors mean business.

Cruz, Nansemond River's single-season scoring leader, was just one of the many keys to the Warriors 16-3 record last season.

Senior Kathryn Behrends, and juniors Sarah Meinertzhagen and Lori Outlaw were first-team all-district picks while junior Melissa Johnson earned second-team all-district honors.

But more impressive to Payton is the team speed that has developed.

Some of the speed has come from players that moved up from JV. The quickness has also been contributed to the graduation of some ``not so-fast'' people.

``There aren't any girls out there that can't move,'' Payton said. ``They are all able to go.''

The biggest downside to NR's season could be Meinertzhagen's early departure. Since her father will be relocated to Florida by the Navy, Meinertzhagen has decided to bulk up on classes and graduate in June. But before she leaves, Meinertzhagen will go through a schedule that will truly test the Warriors.

Nansemond River hosts defending state Group AAA champion Kempsville in the second game of the year and Cox, which had won the seven previous state titles, in the last game.

In addition, the Warriors will also play some of the state's other premier teams in tournaments.

``We have deliberately gone out to schedule some of the toughest games we can,'' Payton said.

Within the district, Payton should still expect a battle from arch-rival Lakeland.

The Cavaliers, who finished second in the district last season, have five returning starters including all-district pick Crystal McCully.

Oscar Smith, which upset Lakeland in the district tournament, and Hickory could also provide a challenge as the Chesapeake schools begin only their second year of playing the sport.

Here's a closer look at the Southeastern District's field hockey teams.

NANSEMOND RIVER

Coach: Bucky Payton (8th year, 68-38-5)

Last year's record: 16-3 overall, 7-0 district

Top returnees: Kathryn Behrends, sr., defender; Sarah Meinertzhagen, sr., link; Lori Outlaw, jr., link; Amanda Strickland, jr., forward; Vanell Vandross, sr., goal keeper; Ashley Alston, jr., defender; Laura Currence, jr, midfielder; Melissa Sklar, jr., forward/midfielder

Top newcomers: Brooke Forbes, jr., defender/midfielder; Jessica Mowry, jr., defender; Latrice Mizelle, jr., defender; Kristie Hopkins, jr., forward; Misti Lucero, jr., goal keeper/defender; Dana Spencer, sr., defender/forward; Veronica Velasquez, jr., midfielder; Jaclyn Morris, jr., defender/midfielder; Kristin McCord, jr. midfielder; Sara Tootoo, so., goal keeper

Outlook: The return of six starters and the development of team speed could only help a squad that gave up no regular-season points to district foes. If Payton has any concerns early on, they would be injuries and goal-keeping. Meinertzhagen has not fully recovered from a leg injury suffered during soccer season and sat out of Friday's scrimmage against Lafayette. Payton has three goalies he's impressed with but has not decided on who'll get the nod on opening day.

LAKELAND

Coach: Sue Ardelji (8th year)

Last year's record: 8-8 overall, 6-1 district

Top returnees: Tiffany Adams, sr., midfielder; Hannah Byrum, jr., midfielder; Holly Mason, jr., defender; Crystal McCully, sr., forward

Top newcomers: Jessica Neblett, sr., defender; Dinah Morris, jr., midfielder

Outlook: The Cavaliers' semifinal defeat in the tournament left a sour taste in their mouths and has them highly-motivated for a regional berth. Ardelji has been impressed by the numbers of players who are skilled at more than one position. McCully, who scored 20 goals last season and was first-team all-district, will be the key in containing Lakeland.

HICKORY

Coach: Andrea McCloud (2nd year, 10-6)

Last year's record: 10-6 overall, 4-3 district

Top returnees: Hannah Gerloff, sr., forward; Adriane Shelton, jr., forward; Meghan Salo, sr., midfielder; Suzanne Roebuck, junior, defender; Margie Baker, sophomore, goalie

Outlook: McCloud's enthusiasm and high expectations began with the tryouts - which drew 50 students - and has not stopped. The Hawks lost only one senior, have two all-district performers back (Salo and Roebuck) and have their top two scorers returning (Gerloff and Shelton).

OSCAR SMITH

Coach: Patty Walsh (2nd year, 7-7)

Last year's record: 7-7 overall, 4-3 district

Top returnees: Joetta Thorpe, jr., forward; Brooke Coley, sr. goalkeeper/forward; Jamie Burke, sr., sweeper/forward; Katie Kraemer, sr., center back; Ebony White, sr., left back; Julina Morano, so., right back; Nicole Koone, jr., right forward

Outlook: Team speed and defense made the Tigers a threat during the tournament last year and are reasons why the Tigers have a chance to challenge the Warriors. Thorpe, an early player of the year candidate, scored 10 goals last year. She, Coley and Kraemer will have to dominate if Oscar Smith is think about a title.

GREAT BRIDGE

Coach: Susie Smith (2nd year, 6-5)

Last year's record: 6-5 overall, 4-3 district

Top returnees: Nikki Coyne, so., forward; Heather Mani, sr., link; Ashley Bell, jr.

Top newcomers: Marguerile Bates, jr.; Kelly Barbaree, sr.; Courtney Frick, fr.;

Outlook: Smith has eight returning starters and a cast of new, aggressive and spirited athletes on her squad.

DEEP CREEK

Coach: Christy Taylor Butts (2nd year, 0-14-2)

Last year's record: 0-14-2 overall, 0-6-1 district

Top returnees: Adri Ashley, sr., forward; Stephanie Sowers, so., left wing; Jackie Howe, sr., right inner; Karlee Butler, jr., center half back; Niki Martin, jr., left half back; Kelly Robertson, jr., right half back; Melissa Burns, jr., sweeper; Kristen Boyd, sr., goal keeper

Top newcomers: Anna Overman, so., forward; Veronica Raney, fr., left full back; Lauren Bryan, sr., right wing

Outlook: Many of the Hornets have shown dedication by playing in winter, spring and summer leagues. In addition to the eight returning starters, the Hornets are counting on former cheerleader Lauren Bryan who has earned her way into the starting lineup.

WESTERN BRANCH

Coach: Cathy Deafenbaugh (1st year)

Last year's record: 2-8 overall, 2-5 district

Top returnees: Beth Johnson, sr., sweeper; Casey Onhaizer, sr., halfback; Jacquie Anderson, sr., halfback; Jenny Adkins, sr., forward; Sally Dalton, sr., full back; Amanda Buettner, sr., full back; Sierra McAllister, jr., center; Shannon Brown, sr., goal keeper; Susan Kelly, jr., goal keeper

Top newcomers: Mandy Johnston, fr., Nicole Mathieu, fr., Kelly Onhaizer, fr., Michelle Smith, fr., Stephanie Rahilly, so.

Outlook: Deafenbaugh hopes experience will make a difference in some of the tight games Western Branch lost last season.

INDIAN RIVER

Coach: Debbie Eagan (2nd year, 6-8)

Last year's record: 0-15-1 overall, 0-6-1 district

Top returnees: Nicole Winters, jr., goal keeper; ReKesha Spellman, sr., defender; Johanna Parker, so., striker; Kristen Aunchman, jr., striker; Heather Flynn, jr., mid-fielder; Angel Biesack, jr., striker

Outlook: Eagan expects improvement over last year since many of the girls spent the off-season playing in winter, spring and summer camps. Another key this season could be Winters who blocked more than 300 shots last season. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER

Lori Outlaw reaches for the ball during a recent Nansemond River

team practice. The team, coached by Bucky Payton, is seeking its

second district title.

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