The boys and girls volleyball teams were showcased last night at home for the first time together this season against rival Colonial Heights. What started off as two teams in control of the net and the matches, ended up in two five set battles that resulted in losses for both.

The girls who played the early contest won set one (25-21) with strong defense and few hitting and serving errors. In set two some key serves were lost into the net and Colonial Heights won an easy second set. The Royals could not rebound and lost the third set also.

In the fourth set the girls hung on to win (25-21) and force a fifth set. Unfortunately some tired legs and arms led to too many hits that sailed over the end line and out. The Royals lost the fifth and deciding set for a final of 25-21, 12-25, 21-25, 25-21, 9-15.

The boys faced defending state champion Colonial Heights but seemed to have the advantage throughout the night. Senior Neil Marks led the Royals with 22 kills and seemed unstoppable in the second set after dropping the first set.

The boys also found themselves in a five set barn-burner, but could not finish strong enough to pull out the victory. This was only their second loss of the season 20-25, 25-13, 15-25, 25-17, 13-15.

Photos by Mackenzie Pearce and Emily Whitehead.