Volleyball Showcase takes center stage

Even though high school volleyball matches have been played, the real beginning of the season takes place this weekend with the Virginia Volleyball Showcase at the Richmond Convention Center.
Eagle Construction is presenting the 12th edition of the Labor Day weekend tournament that has drawn 40 of the best girls teams, public and private, from across the state. The boys field has grown from 16 to 18 teams this year.
Reigning Group AAA champion Deep Run is the defending boys champion. The Wildcats beat 2007 champion Cosby in last year's Showcase final.
Kellam won last year's girls title. No Central Region team made it to the Showcase final four. Deep Run defeated Hanover for fifth place, the highest finish by a local team.
Fifteen of the 18 boys teams are from the Richmond area. Cape Henry, First Colonial and Princess Anne are from the Eastern region.
Current girls Group AAA champion Albemarle isn't in the field. Last year's state runner-up Westfield is competing. Of the 40 girls teams, 16 are from the Richmond area.
Play begins tomorrow at 1 p.m. First-day action is expected to conclude by 9 p.m. The tournament picks up again at 9 a.m. Saturday with the top division finals likely to begin in the 3 to 4 p.m. time slot. Teams are guaranteed four games.