By Joe Short
Thomas Dale Boys
The Dale boys team finds itself at 8-3 overall. They have split the season series with rival James River, the team that knocked them off in the state tournament last season. Coach Josh Forbes praised Gabe Palmer. “He is an anchor for us in serve-receive. He has consistently been our best passer on both sides of the net without question.”
Thomas Dale Girls
The Lady Knights are 6-5 after playing consecutive challenging opponents.
Coach Ron Cathers has looked past their record, seeing the team cohesiveness.
“The team has come together in arduous moments,” he said. They look to improve on their serving game while the play of their liberos and coverage remains a consistent threat.
Matoaca Boys
The Warriors (5-10) have had to overcome adversity, dealing with injuries to key players.
It has affected the outcome of certain games in ways, the team has come together and stepped up where they were needed. While coach Tonya Tunnell says their blocking has room for improvement, they are developing new players to put themselves in a position to make a playoff push.
Matoaca Girls
At 7-8, the Matoaca High’s girls volleyball team hasn’t had the most ideal start to their season, but coach Tiara Boyd sees it as self-inflicted.
“Every team we have faced has been talented, but not unbeatable, and we could definitely dominate,” she said. Having back-to-back games does not give much time to practice but getting better every game is something the team has done all season.
L. C. Bird Girls
Although their record of 2-8 might not show it, the Skyhawks have built confidence and shown up for tougher competition. The team finds themselves from behind playing “catch-up.” Bird needs to win out the rest of the season in order to make the playoffs, but coach Grand Roberson sees this as a possible. “My girls are going to have to bring it every day to practice and games in order to accomplish this, but I am proud of them and how far they have come in the short time I’ve been their head coach,” he said.
