ROCKINGHAM — A lighter athletics schedule is on tap for Richmond Senior High School this week.
Richmond’s volleyball, cross country, football and boys’ soccer programs will all be in action against a combination of Sandhills Athletic Conference and non-conference opponents.
Volleyball continues conference action
Winners of four of their last six matches, the Lady Raiders (5-3, 1-1 SAC) and head coach Ashleigh Larsen will host two SAC teams this week.
On its home court, Richmond will try to distance itself early in the standings against Hoke County (6-1, 1-1 SAC) and Union Pines (5-2, 0-1 SAC) high schools on Tuesday and Thursday.
Currently, the Lady Raiders are tied with Hoke County and Lee County High School in a three-way tie for second place. Both varsity matches will begin at 6 p.m.
The Richmond junior varsity volleyball team (4-3, 1-1 SAC) also welcomes Hoke County and Union Pines this week, beginning at 5 p.m.
Boys’ soccer to play one match
Hoping to end a five-match losing streak, the Raiders (1-5) and head coach Chris Larsen will get more practice time than normal during a regular game week.
With just one match, Richmond hopes to correct some of its miscues before its road match at non-conference Terry Sanford High School (3-3). Action will start Thursday at 7 p.m.
The JV Raiders (2-3-1) also have a road match at Terry Sanford. It will begin at 5 p.m.
Richmond’s soccer teams will officially open their SAC competition next week.
Cross country teams host first of two meets
Hinson Lake in Rockingham will be the site of this week’s SAC cross country meet, the first of two home meets for the Raiders and Lady Raiders this season.
Both teams took second overall in their first meet last week, as head coaches Ashleigh Buie and Morgan Tedder said improving times is a continued goal this week.
Also racing in Tuesday’s meet will be Hoke County and Southern Lee high schools. The boys will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the girls at 5:30 p.m.
Football gets another ranked opponent
With momentum rolling in their favor during last week’s home opener, the Raiders (1-1) and head coach Brad Denson are eyeing their second win of the season.
Another ranked opponent, Richmond’s third in as many games this season, awaits in Cardinal Gibbons High School (1-0) on the road Friday. The Crusaders didn’t play in week two due to weather.
Friday’s game will be the sixth meeting between the two programs since 2019 (regular season and playoffs). Cardinal Gibbons has won the last four games by an average of 17.5 points per game.
Due to Wake County Schools’ athletics policy, the game will start at 7 p.m. The Richmond Observer will publish a preview article later this week.
The JV Raiders (1-1) will host Cardinal Gibbons (1-1) at home Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Girls’ tennis off this week, girls’ golf in final prep
The Richmond girls’ tennis team (1-2, 1-2 SAC) will have the week off. The Lady Raiders’ match against Lee County was canceled due to the Lady Yellow Jackets not having a team this season.
The next match for the Lady Raiders will be at home Tuesday, Sept. 10 against Scotland High School. It will begin at 4 p.m.
In its final week of preparation, the Richmond girls’ golf team will practice Tuesday and Thursday.
The Lady Raiders and head coach Keith Parsons will compete for the first time this season Monday, Sept. 9 at Scotch Meadows Country Club in Laurinburg. Golfers will tee off at 3 p.m.
A season preview of the Richmond girls’ golf team will be published this week.
