DATE: Friday, September 12, 1997            TAG: 9709110226

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 16   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  223 lines

EARLY FAVORITES ON COURT HAVE FAMILIAR NAMES

It appears early in the Beach District season that it will be status quo in boys and girls volleyball.

The usual favorites are already living up to their reputations.

In boys play, Salem, Cox, Tallwood and First Colonial are the top teams, but look for Kellam to make plenty of noise. The Knights defeated Kempsville last Tuesday, while Cox defeated Salem in a key matchup.

For the girls, Salem is the hands-down favorite and added validity to that by edging defending Group AAA champion Cox on Tuesday. Salem returns a powerful lineup from last year's state qualifying team, while Cox lost six of its top eight players.

Expect Tallwood to be in the hunt. Just how good the Lions will be was to be decided Thursday when Tallwood met Salem in a key early matchup.

BAYSIDE

Boys No information provided

Girls Coach: Ian Morrison (first year)

Last year's record: 1-15

Top returnees: Stacy Green, Sr., hitter; Amberly Ives, So., setter; Nikki Dunstan, Jr. setter

Top newcomers: Faith Jones, Fr., hitter, Nikki Sowards, Sr., setter/hitter; Deborah Dearing, So., passer

Outlook: Core of three returners is trying to build a foundation for improving on last year, but it won't be easy. Marlins are young and inexperienced once again.

COX

Boys Coach: Bruce Stewart (fifth year)

Last year's record: 15-3

Top returnees: Josh Zuidema, Sr., hitter; Chris Topham, Sr., hitter; Jason Zuidema, Sr., hitter

Top newcomers: Jeff Wu, Jr., blocker; Nick Imrick, Jr., blocker; Matt Mudell, Jr., passer; Sam MacArthur, So., blocker

Outlook: Despite the fact that two of the team's best players did not come out for this year's squad, the Falcons will still be strong. Thanks in part to Zuidema, a member of the first-team All-Tidewater squad last year who is rated as one of the top 10 AAU players on the East Coast. He had 256 kills last year. Topham had 196 blocks. The Falcons' best front line is tall, with everyone at least 6-3.

Girls Coach: Claire Leblanc (fifth year)

Last year's record: 26-1

Top returnees: Karri Attinger, Jr., setter; Katie Gilman, So., blocker; Sunny Chen, Sr., hitter; Jenny Semro, Sr., hitter; Sara Dehovaz, Sr., setter; Jennifer Gaughan, Sr., setter

Top newcomers: Liz Worrell, Fr., setter; Bryce Rountree, Fr., hitter/setter; Jennifer Lux, Fr., setter; Jennifer Gilman, Fr., blocker; Nicole Chow, Jr., setter

Outlook: The defending Group AAA state champions lost a pair of All-Tidewater players - including player of the year Katherine Dunford - and 6 of 8 regular players from last year's team. Gilman led the team in blocking last year and was second in attacking, while being the most consistent server. How good this team is will depend on how well a host of new players step up into starting roles.

FIRST COLONIAL

Boys Coach: Mark Lottinville (fifth year)

Last year's record: 19-2

Top returnees: David Hills, Sr., swing hitter; Cam Land, Sr., middle hitter; Brian Kollar, Sr., outside hitter; Richard Schneider, Jr., swing hitter

Top newcomers: Tim Jones, Jr., setter/hitter

Outlook: The Patriots are another towering team with four starters taller than 6-2. The only hitch in trying to repeat last year's unbeaten Beach season could be the lack of a strong setter. If someone steps into that role quickly, it could be another tough year for opponents.

Girls Coach: Edie Magula (second year)

Last year's record: 13-5

Top returnees: Mary Lenhart, Sr., setter/hitter; Heather White, Jr., hitter; Jenny Steele, Jr., blocker; Tammy Jaeckle, Sr., hitter; Susan Sidone, Sr., blocker; Michelle McGovern, Sr., setter

Top newcomers: Erin Courtney, Fr., setter; Kerry Turner, Fr., hitter; Carrie Burton, Fr., blocker

Outlook: Over the summer, White and Steele played on a Tidewater Volleyball Association U-16 team that played in the Junior Nationals, placing 13th out of 60 teams. That experience will make a strong Patriots lineup even tougher.

GREEN RUN

Boys No information provided.

Girls Coach: Rick Conaway (second year)

Last year's record: 1-15

Top returnees: Krissy Knee, Sr., setter; Joanie Kelley, Sr., hitter

Top newcomers: Robin Myers, Fr., setter; Nicole Johannesen, Fr., hitter

Outlook: With only three returning players, the Stallions will rely on a crop of newcomers, namely a pair of freshmen who have good AAU skills and experience.

KELLAM

Boys Coach: Mario Hurdle (first year)

Last year's record: 11-5

Top returnees: Michael Boomer, Sr., setter; Eric Garcia, Jr., setter; David Huckle, Sr., hitter; Matt Kent, Jr., hitter; Brett Russell, Jr., hitter/setter; Anthony Trace, So., hitter

Top newcomers: Jimmy Stanek, Sr., blocker; Aaron McCoy, Sr., hitter; mark Sedaca, Fr., setter

Outlook: Although the new coach is looking at this being a rebuilding year, don't be shocked if the Knights are in the hunt. Kent is the best overall player, but at 6-6, his hitting and blocking skills are what's noticed most.

Girls Coach: David Albaugh (first year)

Last year's record: 3-13

Top returnees: Erin Stanek, Jr., hitter; Miryah Bice, Jr., blocker; Asheligh Brooks, Sr., setter; Jessica James, Sr., hitter

Top newcomers: Kelsey Maloney, So., blocker

Outlook: There doesn't appear to be much reason to think there will be a vast improvement over last year, as the Knights are young and inexperienced. Maloney will be one of the tallest in the league at 6-0.

KEMPSVILLE

Boys Coach: David Early (first year)

Last year's record: 6-10

Top returnees: Matat Rogers, Jr., hitter; Rusty White, So., hitter; Chris Patillo, Jr., hitter; Dustin Crosby, Jr., hitter

Top newcomers: Ken Lu, Fr., setter/hitter; Matt Gallinetti, Sr., hitter; Stephen Hatcher, Sr., hitter

Outlook: Early brings vast experience with success from his 52-9 record at Tallwood, and this year's Chiefs lineup is improved from last year. Passing and setting skills need work. Rogers led last year's effort with 160 kills.

Girls Coach: Dan Barrows (fifth year)

Last year's record: 11-6

Top returnees: Nicole Boyd, Sr., hitter; Katie Costello, Sr., hitter; Laura Freesmeir, So., hitter; Kristen Hull, Sr., hitter; Brandee Haycox, Sr., defender

Top newcomers: None provided

Outlook: With most of eight returners bringing Junior Olympic volleyball experience to the lineup, this young team could be in the hunt. Boyd was second team All-Tidewater last season with 117 kills and 43 digs. Costello had 50 kills and 38 digs. The Chiefs were third in last weekend's Sun Devils Invitational.

OCEAN LAKES

Boys Coach: John Muns (first year)

Last year's record: 2-14

Top returnees: Richard Dennis, Sr., hitter; Mike Albeser, Sr., hitter/setter; Chad Bellinger, So., setter

Top newcomers: Lance Lee, Sr., hitter; Matt Romo, Jr., hitter; Scott Easley, Jr., hitter; Corey Muns, Fr., hitter; David Spore, So., hitter

Outlook: At 6-5, Dennis is the top player on a team that is in a serious building mode. Albeser is a powerful hitter who also does well as a setter.

Girls Coach: Hillary Shear (first year)

Last year's record: 9-9

Top returnees: Kristy Larson, Sr.; Kelly Hager, Sr.; Jenny Joyner, Sr.; Jennifer Ammann, Jr.; Leeanne Talbott, Jr.; Andrea Gilbert, Jr.; Fabienne Zinn, So.; Tawnya Harper, So.

Top newcomers: Ashley Holcombe, Fr; Jaime Motowski, Fr.; Renee Brite, Fr.; Hannah Serrano, So.

Outlook: Harper also played on the TVA U-16 team in Denver and will probably led her team in blocking and hitting. With several returners, this could be the season the Dolphins improve.

PRINCESS ANNE

Boys Coach: Jerry Rafal (first year)

Last year's record: 6-12

Top returnees: Andrew Corpuz, Sr., hitter; Stephen Do, Sr., setter; Tim Peterson, Jr., hitter; Justin Maddy, Sr., passer; David Barton, So., hitter

Top newcomers: Adam Cross, Jr., hitter; Barry Jenkins, Jr., blocker; Jon Young, Sr., passer; Robert Willis, So., passer

Outlook: Not a very big or experienced team, but there is good quickness. Corpuz is the only player on the team who has much experience. Team goal is to advance to the district tournament.

Girls Coach: Jerry Rafal (first year)

Last year's record: 6-12

Top returnees: Sasha Miller, Sr., setter; Cheryl Maclennan, Sr., hitter; Mignon Lewis, Jr., hitter; Staci Krueger, Jr., passer/hitter; Regina Barth, Sr., hitter; Kaisy Midgett, Sr., passer

Top newcomers: Micaelle Marie, Fr., setter; Hayley Brooks, Fr., hitter; Tricia Barth, Fr., hitter; Jennifer Schaffer, Fr., hitter

Outlook: Rafal is doing double duty with the Cavaliers, coaching both squads. The girls are probably his best unit. There is a good base of senior talent and an excellent crop of freshman coming in to help build for the future. Cavaliers are hoping to advance to the playoffs and make a name for themselves.

SALEM

Boys Coach: Donna Roman (first year)

Last year's record: 9-8

Top returnees: Preston Moneyhun, Jr., hitter; Steve Ciesielski, Sr., setter; Kevin Robertson, Sr., hitter; Mike Dial, Sr., hitter; Matt Harmon, Sr., hitter; Jason Haywood, Sr., hitter; Alan Aranas, Sr., hitter

Top newcomers: Patrick Ciesielski, Jr., hitter; Joseph Tabanan, Jr., hitter

Outlook: Moneyhun, Steve Ciesielski, Dial and Harmon all have Junior Olympic experience. Ciesielski had 220 assists last year, while Moneyhun had 287 kills. Robertson had 180 kills and 68 digs. Quickness and a powerful defense are the Sun Devils' strengths.

Girls Coach: Owen Dixon (fifth year)

Last year's record: 17-7

Top returnees: Jenny Harmon, Sr., hitter; Megan Johnson, Sr., hitter; Jacquelyn Costa, Sr., setter; Trish Callen, Sr., hitter; Renee Dorko, Sr., hitter; April Sexton, Jr., hitter; Liz Standish, Jr., hitter

Top newcomers: Jennifer LeMoine, Fr., hitter; Amy Sexton, Fr., hitter/setter

Outlook: Harmon, an All-Group AAA first-teamer, is the top returning player in the area and a big reason why most teams will have trouble matching up with last year's state qualifier. She was the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state, recording 210 kills and 65 solo blocks. But she is not an island on this team in any way. If teams double on her, expect folks like Johnson, Costa and Callen to make them pay. Salem won its own invitational last weekend.

TALLWOOD

Boys No information provided.

Girls Coach: Angela Hubner (first year)

Last year's record: 15-5

Top returnees: Sarah Neaves, Sr., hitter; Arlene Pineda, Sr., setter; Amy White, Sr., hitter; Brooke Daniels, Sr., hitter; Jessica Miller, Jr., hitter; Kristina Bridges, So., hitter

Top newcomers: Kristin Schuabauer, So., hitter; Elsa Wallace, So., hitter

Outlook: Lots of returning talent from a fairly strong team, putting the Lions in the hunt this season. For girls volleyball, the team is pretty tall, with a trio of 6-footers towering the front line at times. Offensively strong, so defense will tell the tale. Lions captured the title in last weekend's Nansemond River Invitational, where Neaves was the MVP. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER

Salem's Renee Dorko, left, tries to drive the ball past the block of

Cox players Karri Attinger and Katie Gilman, right. KEYWORDS: BOYS AND GIRLS BEACH DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW

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