Name: Altman Griffin
Year: Senior
Fall Sport: Volleyball
Position: Outside Hitter
Years on Varsity: 3.5
Playing Experience: 6 years (began as a seventh grader at Hamlet Middle School)
Height & Weight: 6’0”/160 lbs.
Favorite Subject: Chemistry
RSHS Sports: Soccer; 3 years at Richmond (Midfielder; Center Back)
RSHS Extracurricular Activities: Griffin is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Students, the National Beta Club, the National Honors Society and the RSHS Student Senate.
Hobbies: Griffin enjoys playing club volleyball with A.C. Sandhills, volunteering at the Humane Society of Richmond County, and is an active member of Second Baptist Church in Hamlet.
College Aspirations: Griffin would like to play collegiate volleyball, and is currently waiting to hear back from several universities. She hopes to attend UNC, UNCW or N.C. State. Griffin, whose love for the sciences is insatiable, plans to major in pre-med and go on to become a surgeon or veterinarian.
Interesting Fact: Aside from playing as much competitive volleyball as she can, Griffin wants people to know she has a deep passion for literature and poetry, which is something most high school students lack. Griffin also helps weekly with RSHS students who have transferred from Cordova School.
Player of the Week Stats:
During the last four matches dating back to Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2017, Griffin has led the Lady Raiders to four victories, while stuffing her stat sheet.
Throughout these four matches, Griffin tallied 48 kills, 12 aces and 38 digs. She notched a season-high 19 kills in last Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Union Pines.
What is your favorite part of being a Richmond Raider?
“The best part about being a Richmond Raider is getting the opportunity to play volleyball for a program that is doing so well,” Griffin said. “As Richmond is the only high school in the county, it’s a tight knit atmosphere that the community really embraces.
“Volleyball may not be the most popular sport,” Griffin admitted. “But the community is seeing what we’re accomplishing and is there to back us up. It’s really a great feeling.”
This season the Lady Raiders are off to a historic 12-0 start. What’s special about this run?
“It’s so cool to be the ‘hype’ this year,” Griffin said with a smile. “The team’s record for wins is 16 in a season, and our goal is to surpass that without losing. I love that we are playing so well, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish in the playoffs.”
Coach’s Corner
Head coach Shellie Wimpey nominated Griffin as the Richmond Observer’s Female Athlete of the Week for many other reasons besides Griffin’s impressive stat sheet. Wimpey, who has coached Griffin since bringing her onto the varsity team midway through her freshman year, acknowledged how much Griffin has developed on the court, especially during her senior season.
“Altman is definitely our leader on the court,” Wimpey said. “She has really progressed into that role this year, making leaps and bounds from her junior year. Her court awareness and presence as a leader has helped our team tremendously.”
When asked what made Griffin a unique asset to the team, Wimpey’s immediately responded again with “leadership.”
“What’s cool about Altman is that volleyball is her No. 1 sport,” Wimpey noted. “This is the sport she wants to pursue at the college level, and she brings that passion and excitement to the floor every match. Her desire to succeed encourages our other players and makes us a better team.”
Look for Griffin on the Richmond Observer’s flagship news program Live at 5, as she’ll be in studio for Wednesday’s edition.
