Sonny Dearth
03-21-2007, 06:28 PM
Who will be the top players to watch?
For most of the district’s history, the singles title has stayed in two families: the Jameses of Jamestown or the Hunters of Poquoson. Not this year. Jamestown stars Mary Kate James, Kelly Maxwell and Whitney Ball graduated, leaving room for new contenders. Bruton’s EmilyDemeo, Lafayette’s Tori Ford, Tabb’s Sarah Haase and perhaps Kelly Little — Jamestown’s only returning starter — could be among many challengers in a wide-open singles race . The district and Region I will have a new slate of champions.
Who will be the top sleeper players or top newcomers?
All of the above players can emerge from the background, and Jamestown will have five new starters.
What will be the top teams to watch?
Lafayette has had an outstanding team for many years, even after Jamestown opened. Most people outside Region I don’t know that because the Eagles have monopolized the region’s only berths to the state tournament in team play, singles and doubles. This looks like the Rams’ time to carry the BRD and Region I flag to state, though Tabb, Bruton or others could challenge them.
What teams might be most improved or sleepers?
Jamestown has won six of the last seven Group AA team championships, and only a 5-4 loss to Loudoun County prevented a seven-year streak. But you can call these Eagles a sleeper team, since only Little, who played No. 5 last season, has any top-six experience. Peter Schweitzer, who will show his coaching ability this season, will rely on some combination of seniors Sarah Shriver, Laura Curtis, sophomores Natalie Donvito, Kristina Jerry and Winston Fleishman and freshmen Whitney Simerein and Kristie Geiling to fill the other five spots. Smithfield — which already beat AAA Nansemond River — Southampton and New Kent have solid programs that could challenge, especially in a year when there’s no surefire state championship team among the group.
What will the district and regional championships hinge on?
How Lafayette and perhaps Tabb respond to unaccustomed roles as favorites will be telling. It’s probably unrealistic to expect a state crown from the Bay Rivers this year, but Lafayette certainly would appreciate the opportunity to head to the New River Valley after so many years as a strong No. 2. In team play, consistency at the bottom of the lineup should determine who reaps big rewards. In doubles and especially singles, mental toughness is paramount, since many players have the potential and tournament experience.
SONNY DEARTH
For most of the district’s history, the singles title has stayed in two families: the Jameses of Jamestown or the Hunters of Poquoson. Not this year. Jamestown stars Mary Kate James, Kelly Maxwell and Whitney Ball graduated, leaving room for new contenders. Bruton’s EmilyDemeo, Lafayette’s Tori Ford, Tabb’s Sarah Haase and perhaps Kelly Little — Jamestown’s only returning starter — could be among many challengers in a wide-open singles race . The district and Region I will have a new slate of champions.
Who will be the top sleeper players or top newcomers?
All of the above players can emerge from the background, and Jamestown will have five new starters.
What will be the top teams to watch?
Lafayette has had an outstanding team for many years, even after Jamestown opened. Most people outside Region I don’t know that because the Eagles have monopolized the region’s only berths to the state tournament in team play, singles and doubles. This looks like the Rams’ time to carry the BRD and Region I flag to state, though Tabb, Bruton or others could challenge them.
What teams might be most improved or sleepers?
Jamestown has won six of the last seven Group AA team championships, and only a 5-4 loss to Loudoun County prevented a seven-year streak. But you can call these Eagles a sleeper team, since only Little, who played No. 5 last season, has any top-six experience. Peter Schweitzer, who will show his coaching ability this season, will rely on some combination of seniors Sarah Shriver, Laura Curtis, sophomores Natalie Donvito, Kristina Jerry and Winston Fleishman and freshmen Whitney Simerein and Kristie Geiling to fill the other five spots. Smithfield — which already beat AAA Nansemond River — Southampton and New Kent have solid programs that could challenge, especially in a year when there’s no surefire state championship team among the group.
What will the district and regional championships hinge on?
How Lafayette and perhaps Tabb respond to unaccustomed roles as favorites will be telling. It’s probably unrealistic to expect a state crown from the Bay Rivers this year, but Lafayette certainly would appreciate the opportunity to head to the New River Valley after so many years as a strong No. 2. In team play, consistency at the bottom of the lineup should determine who reaps big rewards. In doubles and especially singles, mental toughness is paramount, since many players have the potential and tournament experience.
SONNY DEARTH