If you don’t look twice, you’d think coach Michael Blankenbecler is a player on James River’s boys volleyball team. At 25 years years of age, he blends in, but he’s had a successful coaching career including a trip to the state championship game last season. The Rapids are looking to do that one better this year by winning a state title. “It’s nice because I get to play in practice,” Blankenbecler said. “I have experience playing, I know what they have been through, and I can show them what it means to be a top level team.” Blankenbecler would know…

There was a group of new kids on the block in the gold bracket at the Richmond Volleyball Club showcase this weekend: the Monacan Chiefs. The Richmond Volleyball Club’s showcase tournament is the biggest volleyball event in the area with 18 boys teams that came to play for two days. Monacan burst onto the scene with a strong showing, upsetting Atlee to place fifth overall. The gold bracket included volleyball powers such as Princess Anne, Mills Godwin, Maury and Deep Run. “We’re going to keep working hard in practice,” said senior Garrett Carson. “I think these guys like winning so…

To be the best, you have to beat the best. Colonial Heights did that on Monday night, defeating top-ranked and defending state champion Midlothian 3-1. “We know they are a good team,” said Colonial Heights all-state hitter Noah Murdock. “We could have been scared starting the season with them, but we played them well.” However, this time, it was a case of the teacher beating the student but it has not always been that one-sided. Both sides have scored decisive victories. It all began 30 years ago when Colonial Heights coach Mark Lee and Midlothian coach Randy Cox were playing on opposite…