SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 67 Commending the Thomas Dale High School boys’ volleyball team.   Agreed to by the Senate, January 17, 2008 Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 25, 2008  

WHEREAS, the 2007 Thomas Dale High School boys’ volleyball team capped an exceptional season by winning the Virginia High School League, Group AAA, state volleyball championship by defeating Frank W. Cox High School on November 17, 2007; and

WHEREAS, the Thomas Dale Knights triumphed over the defending state champion Cox Falcons at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center, 25–22, 25–19, and 25–12 in the Group AAA tournament finals; and

WHEREAS, the victory was especially significant for the players and the entire student body, because the Knights have gone through the Central District regular season and tournament without losing a match since 1994; and

WHEREAS, on the way to clinching its first Group AAA state title, the Thomas Dale Knight’s boys’ volleyball team was state runner-up in 2005 and state semi-finalist in 2006; and

WHEREAS, all of the hardworking Knights made valuable contributions in a tremendous team effort in the championship games and throughout the season; and in a remarkable run, the team won 68 consecutive games and lost just three games the entire season; and

WHEREAS, the Thomas Dale High School boys’ volleyball team players are seniors Michael Blankenbecler, David Cole, Davian Dhir, Jarrett Evans, Steven McGraw, Shane Pratt, Austin Thompson; juniors Ethan Cammer, Richard Gonzalez, Alexander Hoffman, Bradley Johnston, Rory Schindel, Tyler West; sophomores Matt Dolan, Matthew Knickerbocker, Zachary Seymour, Mason Vivas; and freshman Jacob McCall; and

WHEREAS, the triumphant performance of the 2007 Thomas Dale High School boys’ volleyball team is a tribute to the perseverance of the players, the leadership of Head Coach Michael Walker, Jr., Assistant Coach Brett Cole, and their staff and the support of the students, faculty, and parents; and

WHEREAS, the Thomas Dale Knights boys’ volleyball team received numerous accolades in the 2007 season, including senior Michael Blankenbecler being named both the Central District and Central Region Player of the Year and Head Coach Michael Walker, Jr., being named the Central District and Central Region Coach of the Year; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate the Thomas Dale High School boys’ volleyball team on its 2007 Group AAA state title; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Head Coach Michael Walker, Jr., on behalf of the Knights as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for their championship season.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 67 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 8, 2008 Commending the Thomas Dale High School boys’ volleyball team.  ---------- Patron-- Martin ----------

WHEREAS, the 2007 Thomas Dale High School boys’ volleyball team capped an exceptional season by winning the Virginia High School League, Group AAA, state volleyball championship by defeating Frank W. Cox High School on November 17, 2007; and

WHEREAS, the Thomas Dale Knights triumphed over the defending state champion Cox Falcons at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center, 25 - 22, 25 - 19, and 25 - 12 in the Group AAA tournament finals; and

WHEREAS, the victory was especially significant for the players and the entire student body, because the Knights have gone through the Central District regular season and tournament without losing a match since 1994; and

WHEREAS, on their way to clinching its first Group AAA state title, the Thomas Dale Knight’s boys’ volleyball team was state runner-up in 2005 and state semi-finalists in 2006; and

WHEREAS, all of the hard-working Knights made valuable contributions in a tremendous team effort in the championship games and throughout the season; and in a remarkable run, the team won 68 consecutive games and lost just three games the entire season; and

WHEREAS, the Thomas Dale High School boys’ volleyball team players are seniors Michael Blankenbecler, David Cole, Davian Dhir, Jarrett Evans, Steven McGraw, Shane Pratt, Austin Thompson; juniors Ethan Cammer, Richard Gonzalez, Alexander Hoffman, Bradley Johnston, Rory Schindel, Tyler West; sophomores Matt Dolan, Matthew Knickerbocker, Zachary Seymour, Mason Vivas; and freshman Jacob McCall; and

WHEREAS, Michael Blankenbecler has been named Central District, Central Region, and Virginia State Player of the Year and Head Coach Michael Walker, Jr., has been honored as Central District, Central Region, and Virginia State Coach of the Year; and

WHEREAS, the triumphant performance of the 2007 Thomas Dale High School boys’ volleyball team is a tribute to the perseverance of the players, the leadership of Head Coach Michael Walker, Jr., Assistant Coach Brett Cole, and their staff and the support of the students, faculty, and parents; and

WHEREAS, the Thomas Dale Knights boys’ volleyball team received numerous accolades in the 2007 season, including senior Michael Blankenbecler being named both the Central District and Central Region Player of the Year and Head Coach Michael Walker, Jr., being named the Central District and Central Region Coach of the Year; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate the Thomas Dale High School boys’ volleyball team on its 2007 Group AAA state title; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Head Coach Michael Walker, Jr., on behalf of the Knights as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for their championship season.