RCPS Reflects on Varsity Volleyball State Championship - RC Sports Network

Last week, Rappahannock County Athletics reflected on the Volleyball State Championship win against the Mathews Blue Devils on November 19, 2016. Memories poured in from RCPS staff and parents, as well as community members. Four years later, that standard is still set, and the team looks forward to another State Championship berth in the coming years. Photo taken in 2016 by the Culpeper Star-Exponent.

WASHINGTON, Va. - Last week, Rappahannock County Public Schools reflected on the milestone run of its Volleyball program on November 19, 2016.

The Panthers earned their first State Championship berth after an exciting State Semi-final win over the Chilhowie Indians on November 12, 2016. However, the heart-stopping emotions were felt after the game.

"We were on the edge of our seats waiting on word of who we were supposed to play," said head coach and current RCHS AD Courtney Atkins, "The question was: do we want to play someone we know and have played against, or play the new team that we have had no experience against."

That question was answered in an amount of time that felt long and short at the same time, as Mathews came out victorious over the Radford Bobcats in a five set match. However, Mathews came out knowing that they had to outplay the team that they had previously fallen to in the Region 1A East Championship.

However, what most spectators may not know is that the team was treated to a send-off the evening before, and had a small celebration the night before the championship.

"The send-off was truly a wonderful experience," said Camron Wayland, manager of the team in 2016, "It was the first one of the year, and I believe that it was easily the loudest and most excited that the students got for the team, with the exception of the championship game itself."

The team played at the Stuart C. Siegel Center at VCU, which was a huge level up from Panther Gym. With more that eleven times the amount of seats, and a giant video display hung above center court, the atmosphere felt like no other.

The Panthers beat the Blue Devils for a second time, 3-1 (25-14, 25-23, 23-25, 25-11). In the game, Julia Estes recorded 29 kills, 19 digs, and 2 aces, and Kayla Robey recorded 45 assists in the game.

"I was at that game with my youngest daughter who had been a part of the program when she was in school," said former RCHS principal Mike Tupper via email, "I was extremely happy to be able to share that victorious moment with her. WHAT A TEAM IT WAS!! As Principal, the victory made me feel like our school and community were one. What a day and one I will never forget."

Following the game, the team received awards and the presentation of the trophy.

"As the girls' names were called to center court, my heart beamed with pride," said Janet Robey, parent of then setter Kayla Robey, "What an exciting and great day to be a Panther."

Former Athletic Director Brandon Burley and former RCHS Principal Mike Tupper stand side by side in applause during the trophy and awards presentation following the State Championship on November 19, 2016. Photo by David Hong.

The good thing about championships and milestones, besides the thrill of the game and the season it took to get there, is the memories.

"We went to Olive Garden the night before," said Wayland, "I remember the freeze frame challenge that everyone - players, coaches, parents, and even the bus driver - participated in better than my own meal. That's how much it stood out, and showed how excited the girls were to be there."

"It was a great feeling when every night we competed [against teams that] wanted to beat us, as they knew they were playing the best team," said Tupper, "That meant our team had to [do] their best every time they stepped out on the court."

"I remember being in the stands when the winning point was earned, and that's when it dawned on me that we had really done it, we had won a State Championship," said RCHS principal Jimmy Swindler via email. Swindler was RCHS Assistant Principal at the time. "So much can happen in volleyball that I wasn't certain we would actually get that title until that last victorious point was earned. "

Tupper, who most fans notably remember as the excitement factor during the regular season, included his most famous rally quote and its origin in his email.

"When we entered the playoffs, I personally wanted to bring our fans and community together and that was why I rallied them to yell We Are Rappahannock!!," added Tupper, "I wanted all of us to show our pride and love for our team and community."

However, this article would not be complete without responses from the community. Community members had the chance to enter their memories into this article. Here are some of the ones that stood out.

"I impatiently waited for the girls to come out of the locker room, and finally there they were," said Robey, "Our 2016 State Champions. A group of girls that worked hard, a group of girls understood the meaning of family and community. A group of girls who fell in love with a sport and didn't stop until that State Championship was theirs. As I got to greet my girl, we embraced each other with happy tears and the biggest smiles I think we have ever shared. This is something that families and the community will never forget. Those moments are the ones that you just don't forget."

"Besides the excitement of winning," said Kelly Estes, parent of Julia Estes, "what I remember most is the community support. The whole community was excited and proud of our girls!"

Also, many pictures, videos, and other media were sent in by a few community members. They will be added to this article at a later date.

If you have a memory of the 2016 Volleyball State Championship, you can leave a comment underneath this article, or click this link to add your comment and it will be added at a later date.

RCSN says a special thank you to all who contributed to this article. Your input is greatly appreciated.