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Riverheads girls at Rapp........who you got?

longtimerhsfan

VaPreps All Region
Dec 12, 2006
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This looks like a good match on paper. Rapp of course has home court advantage but I am not sure how much that means in volleyball.

Their only common opponents are Lancaster and now Altavista. Riverheads swept Lancaster in three fairly easy sets and although I have not seen actual scores, I would assume that Rapp had little trouble with the Red Devils either. As for Altavista, Riverheads went there and beat them in three sets whereas Rapp needed five sets at home to beat them. That might appear to give Riverheads a slight advantage but then consider that two of Rapp's three sets over Altavista were runaways, especially the 15-3 final set.

Overall I would say it is too close to call.
 
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A poster in the other thread about the Raider 3-2 win over Altavista said that they have seen both teams play this year.

They stated bluntly that Riverheads will defeat Rappahannock 3-0.

I have telling people that I think it is a true toss-up - 50/50. So I agree with longtimerhsfan post above.
 
I will admit that I am a bit nervous about this game as when I have seen Riverheads in the past they play very smart, organized ball. Plus, they play larger schools all the time so they are more battle tested.

However, there is no doubt that Rappahannock can pull off the "upset" as they do have the star power (this year and next) with a great supporting cast to defeat Riverheads.

With a 50/50 game, I think that it will just come down to whichever team gets hot (with the most momentum runs) and smart coaching (with the correct personnel and matchups on the court at all times against a strong, great opponent) - plus who can maintain their confidence and composure when faced with the pressure of a big final four game like this...

Again, no NND school (6 teams) has ever won a Final 4 volleyball match...

Have a safe trip to Riverheads. Should be exciting...
 
I just hope the NFHS stream is decent. I was very pleased with the one Saturday that emanated from Rappahannock. The only complaint I had was that the score did not show on the screen and you had to rely on the times when the camera panned to the actual scoreboard, which it did often enough to help you follow the score. It only stands to reason that one decent broadcast with NO FREEZING from Rappahannock should mean that we can get another one just like it.
 
Just saw that Riverheads won in 5 sets. I don't know the scoring for any of the sets.
 
Scores were as follows: Riverheads came from a set down.

16-25, 25-17, 15-25, 25-12, 15-10
 
Riverheads wins 3-2 in a thriller over Rappahannock.

Congrats to Riverheads. Good luck to them v Auburn in Salem.

Rappahannock had to play perfectly to hang with Riverheads. And often the Raiders did. Riverheads were obviously well coached and the team made few mistakes.

For example, they made only two service errors in five full sets. Well done. Even top club teams often make more mistakes. Rappahannock would play awesomely and Riverheads would carry on the volley. There were some amazing, incredibly long volleys between the two teams.

Excellent volleyball action tonight with a loud, spirited awesome crowd in attendance cheering all the girls.
 
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The Raiders won the 1st set 25-16. Riverheads won the second set (scores above).

The Raiders won the third set by 10 and had Riverheads on the ropes - up 2-1 at home - with momentum and a great, loud crowd backing the Raiders.

Inexcusably (and to the delight of Riverheads I can assure you), Rappahannock on several occasions during the match, destroyed their own momentum and great rhythm with constant substitutions even when their hot, best group was on the court (with the lead). Riverheads often took extreme advantage of these unreal blunders and made Rapp pay dearly, especially on that back spot near the Rapp bench.

Riverheads mostly took over in the final two sets.

Congrats to the Rappahannock Raiders on an amazing season! Oh so close.

I will go ahead and call it (and you can write this down) - Rappahannock and Riverheads will meet again next year in the Volleyball state semis - for the 3rd time in 4 years.....
 
From my vantage point it appeared that Rapp began playing more cautiously during the 4th set. It seemed like their attacks were with less aggression than in the first 3 sets. Too bad Rapp's competition was sub-par until the state tournament. They certainly proved they belonged on this stage and they will graduate just one player.
BTW Riverheads folks who stayed home, how was the NFHS stream? I've only seen one from Rapp's gym and it was extremely high resolution.
 
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I was just getting ready to address that exact question.....as I had posted earlier, the stream Saturday when Rapp edged out Altavista was quite good. Tonight not so much.

No complaints about the picture quality and the stream even captured the intensity of the crowd. But, and I know I sound like a broken record, those constant freeze-ups just get on my nerves. It was not bad enough to keep me from following the action but it was still plenty annoying. So I cannot understand why the same camera in the same gym would produce such radically different results.

As for the match, it was definitely one of momentum swings. When Rapp went up 2-1, that of course put the pressure on the Big Red and I am not sure if they had faced that situation at all this season. But once they won the fourth set as easily as they did, you had the feeling that they had snatched the momentum back over to their side.

As usual there were things I did not understand, such as cases where it appeared obvious that one team should get the point but it would go to the other. But I get the idea that is par for the course in this sport.

Anyway, good luck to RHS in Saturday's final. Due to Auburn's tradition, I assume Riverheads will be the underdog but that is why they play the games.
 
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Agree completely with NNDman.

The 4th set was a complete breakdown of organization with mass confusion on the Raider side of court, with All District and Region 1st team players sitting on the bench as the beat down went on....unbelievable....

Yes, the stream from Rappahannock is usually really good.

The Rapp side was packed and crazy, loud at times (the camera points to the other side which was also well attended). A person sitting next to me (1st volleyball game he had attended in decades if ever, just came to check it out) - he said wow - this sport is insane with non-stop action - I love it!

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported the Raider girls! I saw many old friends (some for the 1st time at the games).

I will say this - I am pulling for Riverheads to defeat Auburn! You guys are great and worthy opponents. See ya next year....
 
I feel like the top volleyball at the Class 1 level can be right up there with other top teams in the state at larger classifications. The best are SO GOOD.
 
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Rapp needs to adjust camera on the scoreboard .could not see it all night. Had to look at actual scoreboard whenever the camera went that direction
 
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