James River boys volleyball wins third straight state championship
MIDLOTHIAN, Va. (BVM) — James River High School boys volleyball was the most dominant program in Virginia High School League history prior to this season, winning a state-record six state championships as well as the past two in Class 6. This year, the Rapids were able to flex their muscles even more so as they entered the Class 6 state championship once again, this time sporting an undefeated 11-0 record. As was the case the past two seasons, it was the Rapids who once again left with the title.
In the matchup on April 24, James River would put its unbeaten mark to the test against nearby Thomas Dale High School. As the favorites, James River had all the pressure on them to live up to the hype they had built throughout the season. The Rapids were able to meet and even surpass expectations as they swept the Knights in three sets 28-26, 25-19 and 25-20 to secure the trifecta and extend their state record to seven titles.
What an ending to a Perfect Season! (15-0) State Champions https://t.co/ycSK3gO87z
— RapidsBoysVolleyball (@Rapids_BVB) April 24, 2021
Heading into the season, it would have been difficult for the team to have achieved any more success given the history of the program and its recent string of championships. Another championship was more of an expectation than a pleasant surprise.
However, the way in which the Rapids went about it, securing their only undefeated season at 12-0 while also only dropping two sets on the entire year, proved that the team would not only be remembered as the one to secure the dynasty, but perhaps the best group of the trio. Add in the fact the team had to deal with the headache that has been the 2020-21 season thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and fans would be hard pressed to prove that this iteration of the team isn’t the greatest in recent years.
Regardless of what fans believe about any of the teams that the Rapids have trotted out over the past three years, one thing they can agree on is that this dynasty has been a fun one to watch. As the team celebrates its most recent state title, they will have a few months to prepare and hopefully return to normalcy as they seek a fourth straight title next season.
