LAURINBURG — The Richmond junior varsity volleyball team used two late rallies to end its season with a thrilling win over rival Scotland High School Thursday.
Wrapping up a 12-match regular season, the Lady Raiders completed the season sweep of Scotland, beating the Lady Scots in straight sets. Coming from behind in both frames, set scores were 25-23 and 25-17.
Head coach Melissa Dennis, who closed her second season at the head of the program, said the team’s cohesiveness and willingness to dig in and fight were the keys to coming back.
“The girls knew it was their last time playing, and before the game we talked about not leaving thinking we could have done better,” Dennis explained. “They were everywhere, getting balls over that even surprised me.”
Richmond trailed early in the first set, but consecutive aces from freshman Emma Altman tied it 4-4. In a match that featured lots of unforced errors by both teams, the Lady Raiders used a 3-0 run to take a 10-7 advantage.
Two four-point runs by the Lady Scots, however, gave the lead back to the home team. Richmond trailed by as many as five points, 21-16, before Dennis called a timeout.
Her message to the team during the break was to relax and regroup, and the Lady Raiders responded.
“Scotland was very good defensively and they were not letting anything hit the floor,” Dennis said. “That threw the girls off a little. During the timeout, I just let them get their breath to calm down. It was just a time to refocus.”
Out of the break, freshman Katie Way, returning to her first full match after an ankle injury, delivered one of her team-high three kills. Sophomore Quston Leviner made a smart tip at the net on the next play, and two unforced errors by Scotland pulled Richmond within one point, forcing a Lady Scot timeout.
Using a 5-1 run to close the set, freshman Jenna Gardner started it with an athletic play on a long volley, hitting the ball backward over her head to find open space on the floor.
Gardner went to the serving line and forced three straight errors for points. A serving error by Scotland ended the set.
The Lady Raiders trailed much of the second set but they found some Raider Magic in the middle of the stanza. A backrow kill from freshman Allie Rodgers made it a three-point deficit, 13-10, and three errors by Scotland over the next five plays pulled Richmond with two, 15-13.
Freshman Addyson Hollingsworth proved to be the difference maker in the match, serving eight straight points as part of a 9-0 run for the Lady Raiders. Hollingsworth has picked up more playing time the last couple of matches after Way was injured before Christmas.
“Addyson really stepped up while Katie was out and she showed that she could handle herself,” Dennis explained. “I noticed during the first game that we needed to make a few small adjustments for the second game. Addyson stepped up again and she played her game.”
Hollingsworth started the comeback run with an ace, which was followed by a kill from Way to tie the set at 15 points. A deep push from Way to the back line was coupled with consecutive kills from Leviner and Rodgers.
The final tally came when sophomore Joy Styles and Rodgers both made athletic saves on the ball, bumping it over the net to force a Scotland error.
Leading 22-17, Way served two aces and used a Scotland digging error to seal the deal.
“It feels great to be able to end this chaotic season with a win against our No. 1 rivals,” Hollingsworth said. “What helped me the most with my serves was the motivation and the energy coming from my teammates.
“When my serves were consistent, my team backed me up and kept cheering and motivating me. It helped me feel more comfortable and less nervous. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to finish the season with.”
Richmond tallied five total aces in the win, two each from Altman and Way and another from Hollingsworth. Leviner and Rodgers followed with two kills each, and Gardner and freshman Makailah Jackson both had one.
On defense, Way led the team with two blocks and Rodgers added two digs.
“Allie really hustled after a lot of stray balls and Jenna stepped up and took a lot of second balls and had some good sets,” Dennis closed. “They all worked really hard tonight and I couldn’t have asked for a better last game. I am so proud of them.”
Richmond ended its season with an 8-4 overall record, which was highlighted by a six-match winning streak after three losses to start the season. The Lady Raiders swept Hoke County and Scotland during the season.
ROSports will publish a season recap in the coming week.
