RICHMOND — With a handful of players plagued by the flu, E.C. Glass’ volleyball team was at a decided physiological and psychological disadvantage in its Group AA state semifinal match against Grafton (28-0), Friday night at VCU’s Siegel Center.

AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jimmie Johnson won’t plan any parties this week, or waste a minute pondering his place in NASCAR history.

BLACKSBURG — There were times earlier in Tyrod Taylor’s career where he found it easier to tuck the ball and run. Then, as he evolved as a starting quarterback, he made more of an effort to stay in the pocket and pass.

Chelsea Shine received a perfect birthday present from her teammates: the basketball.

It appears Virginia Tech’s football team won’t have to make a trip to Cincinnati in 2012 as earlier planned. The two teams, who met in last season’s Orange Bowl, will face off instead at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., according to a written release.

Like the two men who interviewed before him, Brandon Streeter arrived at Liberty’s football operations last winter dressed to the nines in a suit and tie, eager to speak to Flames coach Danny Rocco for the position of offensive coordinator.

With a new organization comes new managerial blood for the Lynchburg Hillcats.

The Cincinnati Reds, the new parent club for the Lynchburg franchise, have assigned longtime minor-league manager Pat Kelly to Lynchburg for the 2010 season, where he’ll become the 16th manager in Hillcats history.

ROANOKE — It was almost too easy. Freshman quarterback Kendall Becraft just threw the ball in senior wide receiver Alec Thompson’s direction, and time after time, Thompson came down with the pass for a big play.