2011-11-11 James River boys defend Central Region title - Midlothian Exchange

2011-11-11 James River boys defend Central Region title - Midlothian Exchange

James River boys defend Central Region title
Published: November 11, 2011

James River’s Harry Tisdale goes up for a kill during the Rapids’ victory over Douglas Freeman Thursday at Cosby. I photo by Kenny Moore

Media General News Service

History is starting to repeat itself for James River.

Last year, the Rapids survived a five-game thriller in the Central Region quarterfinals and went on to win region and state titles. This season, they edged Deep Run in the quarterfinals and have now taken the Central Region title after a 3-1 win over Douglas Freeman on Thursday.

“I sure hope so, but we don’t want to get too cocky. We’re just worried about playing well next Thursday (in the state semifinals),” said James River’s Sam Albus, whose team won 25-20, 20-25, 25-13, 25-14.

Albus and Pete Sowers set the tone in the first game for the Rapids (22-3). Albus had seven kills, and Sowers recorded six. Albus was responsible for four points of a 6-0 run that broke open the game.

“I felt I really played well tonight,” said Albus, who was honored as Central Region player of the year after the match. “But I have to credit my passers. I have a great environment.”

Mitchell Ford set up Albus (16 kills, five aces, two digs), Sowers (11 kills, 10 digs, two aces) and Kaeler Sullivan (11 kills, 11 digs) all evening and finished with 48 assists, 11 digs and two aces.