WADESBORO — Despite winning the first set of Wednesday’s non-conference match, the Lady Raider volleyball team saw its season-long losing streak slide to three games.
After failing to win any of their last six sets, Richmond battled Anson High School in a five-set loss, 2-3.
The Lady Raiders took the first set 25-18 before dropping the second and third frames by scores of 17-25 and 22-25.
Digging in, Richmond took the fourth stanza 25-16 to force the decisive fifth, but fell 8-15.
Head coach Ashleigh Larsen liked the energy the team came out with in the first set, something the Lady Raiders have struggled to do this season.
But Richmond wasn’t able to maintain its consistency to complete the season sweep of the Lady Bearcats (7-2).
“We played better overall tonight, but we just can’t find that drive to keep momentum in our favor when we are up,” Larsen explained.
“We battled back in some sets when we were behind, but in the fourth set when we had everything in our favor, we fell back as soon as we started the fifth.”
Two players Larsen noted who were able to help the team shift momentum late were senior middle hitter Catherine Dennis and junior middle hitter Katie Way, and praised the back row’s efforts.
“Katie and Catherine did a good job adjusting,” Larsen said. “Our defense made big digs but little mistakes cost us again.”
The Lady Raiders (6-7, 2-3 Sandhills Athletic Conference) now gear up for a three match week, featuring two conference matches.
Up first will be a home match against rival Scotland High School (6-4, 2-2 SAC) on Monday, starting around 6 p.m.
JV Lady Raiders swept by Anson
In junior varsity action, the JV Lady Raiders lost in straight sets by scores of 17-25 and 14-25.
Richmond (6-7, 2-3 SAC) will welcome in Scotland on Monday at 5 p.m.
