ROCKINGHAM — Although last Thursday’s match was senior night, it was freshman volleyball player Riley McDonald who played a big role and has been selected as the Official Richmond County Female Student-Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.
Providing power and height at the net all season, McDonald helped her senior teammates cash in a memory with a five-set win over Scotland High School.
McDonald also helped the team defeat Hoke County High School to begin the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament on Monday, earning her her first career recognition.
Athletic Profile
Year: Freshman
Fall Sport: Volleyball
Position: Middle Hitter
Years on Varsity: 1 Year
“FINDING THE FLOOR” WITH RILEY McDONALD
The Lady Raiders battled back during Thursday’s senior night showdown with Scotland to win in five sets 3-2. Richmond took sets two (25-22), three (25-22) and five (15-7).
McDonald recorded a single-game career-high 29 kills in the win, averaging 5.8 kills per set. She also had two blocks against the Lady Scots.
As part of a comeback in the second set, McDonald had a kill during small run to put Richmond ahead 10-6. Another kill at the net made it 20-13 before Scotland rallied to take a 23-20 advantage, but Richmond stormed back to win.
Consecutive kills from McDonald in the third frame tied the score at 11 and 12 points. She tied the score again at 21 points with a tip around a pair of blockers. Down the stretch, McDonald recorded three of the final four points, including the set point.
In the decisive fifth set, McDonald scored four straight points on two kills and two soft touches. McDonald helped seal the win when her attack was mishandled on the attempt to send the ball into the net.
Richmond controlled the tempo against Hoke County on Monday behind set wins of 25-14, 25-23 and 25-12. McDonald registered 20 kills and had three blocks.
With an average of 6.7 kills per set, McDonald contributed to an aggressive serving attack by the Lady Raiders.
This season, McDonald has recorded 251 kills in 22 matches for an average of 11.4 kills per match. She’s also collected 19 blocks in the middle.
Richmond (11-11, 8-6 SAC) will await for the NCHSAA 4A state playoff brackets to be released on Friday.
RAPID RESPONSE VIDEO WITH RILEY McDONALD
In her video interview, McDonald talks about her favorite class this semester at the Ninth Grade Academy, shares about her success against Scotland and reveals a lesson that she’s learned this season that she’ll carry with her.
The Richmond Observer will publish two more Official Richmond County Student-Athletes of the Week next week.
