2:16
Atlee knotted things up in the Capital District with Highland Springs. They'll play again Wednesday, Oct. 21.
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by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
(804) 240-2191

In the parody-filled world of boys volleyball in the Central Region, a team looks like it's ready to rise to the top.

Atlee.

The Raiders, ranked fourth in the latest DigitalSports Top 10, pounded Capital District rival third-ranked Highland Springs in three games Wednesday night.

Atlee took care of No. 1 Clover Hill in four games last week and resembled every bit of a top-ranked team Wednesday leading the Springers by double-digits in each game.

"We did really well," Atlee coach Michelle Black said. "The serves are what kept us in the game. We were able to run our offense and pound the ball well."

Everyone got involved at the net.

Kody Tingler (11 kills, four blocks), Kyle Rodgers (11 kills, three blocks), Robert Chilcoat, Jonathan Sperlazza and Jordan Stringfellow all took turns destroying Justin Crane sets.

The Springers were stuck in mud defensively and uninspired offensively, while Raiders libero Andrew Stanford (nine digs, two aces) kept balls off the floor defensively and doubled as a powerful serving threat.

Stanford said he's one of about four or five Raiders that can consistently put in powerful jump serves.

A few are left-handers, like Stringfellow, which puts a totally different pace on the ball that made it extremely difficult for the Springers back line.

For such an important game - the Springers (5-1, 11-3) could have put themselves two games ahead of Atlee (6-1, 12-2) in the district - Highland Springs was lifeless.

"That's what we talked about," Springers coach Richard Starr said. "As important a game as it was, they were never really into it. Atlee didn't give 'em any air.

"Any time you lose like that, the coaches have to take blame as well. We didn't get them prepared well enough. It was tough."

The Springers can rectify their effort next Wednesday as the Raiders visit Highland Springs, as it is very probable that the contest will decide the Capital District.

But the Raiders will enjoy this one for a while.

"We came together as a team," Chilcoat said. "Pass, set, kill."

H. Springs  18 18 15
Atlee        25 25 25
Records: Highland Springs (5-1, 11-3); Atlee (6-1, 12-2)