ROCKINGHAM — Often times when a head coach has to replace two-thirds of her team due to graduated players, there may be some cause for concern.
But not for Ashleigh Larsen and the Richmond Senior High School volleyball program, which has gone through an intense rebuilding process over the offseason.
After losing eight seniors last season, the same number of players are new to the varsity roster in 2024. Of the dozen Lady Raiders, only three return with ample playing time, but the team isn’t panicking.
While the team’s overall playing experience has taken a step back, Larsen, who is entering her seventh season as head coach, has been impressed with the talent level heading into the new slate.
Noting that things are “clicking a little bit quicker this year” than in years past, Larsen said she’s been pleased with the Lady Raiders’ “determined” attitude and eagerness to continue the program’s success.
At the end of the 2023 season, the Lady Raiders had a final overall record of 11-12. Having gone 8-6 against Sandhills Athletic Conference opponents, Richmond placed fourth of seven teams in the 3A/4A split conference.
Larsen and company also made it back to the postseason for the second consecutive season last year, a trend that the program hopes to continue in 2024.
The three returning starters from a season ago are senior Ava Edmondson and sophomores Riley McDonald and Kenley Smith.
Edmondson is back for her fourth and final season at the varsity level and will take her usual spot as Richmond’s setter. A familiar face with the program, she enters the new campaign with over 1,400 career assists.
McDonald and Smith made their presence known a year ago as freshmen, dialing up big hits at the net and disrupting opposing hitters, respectively. At middle hitter, McDonald will rely on the work of Smith at libero to get the offense started.
Following the 2023 season, Edmondson and McDonald were named to the All-Conference team along with former player Katie Way.
The only other returner for the Lady Raiders this season is senior Abby Wellman, a defensive specialist who will look to get more playing time this fall.
Sharonda Henderson, a right side hitter, is a senior who joins the varsity team for her first season.
Four juniors, along with three other sophomores, will make the leap to varsity for the first time. The juniors include Leiana Brooks (middle hitter), Carleigh Gibson (right side hitter/setter), J’Nasia Neal (outside hitter) and Ka’mora Watkins (outside hitter/right side hitter).
Rounding out the five total sophomores on the roster are Kalynn McCormick (defensive specialist) and Madisen Jackson and Kaylan Parsons, both of whom play at outside hitter and right side hitter.
With 104 kills as a freshman, McDonald returns as Richmond’s leading hitter, having averaged 5.5 kills per set. Her 33 total blocks were also a team-high.
Edmondson and Smith were both atop the team’s defensive statistics last season. Smith had a team-high 238 digs, followed by Edmondson’s 196 digs. Both players are the top-two returning servers, too, combining for 30 aces last fall.
In order to win its first SAC championship since 2017, what Larsen called the team’s overall goal, Richmond will have to face each of the six other teams two times apiece. That includes Pinecrest High School, which has won the last five consecutive conference crowns.
The Lady Raiders will also face Union Pines and Scotland high schools twice, the other two teams that finished ahead of them in the standings last year.
An assortment of non-conference teams — Forest Hills, Harnett Central, Pine Forest, Montgomery Central and Uwharrie Charter — are on Richmond’s schedule to help bolster play for conference action.
The Lady Raiders will have a packed first week of play starting Monday with a string of three non-conference matches in three days.
Richmond will open the season at home Monday against Forest Hills High School, before traveling to Harnett Central High School Tuesday (7 p.m.).
The Lady Raiders will return home to play Pine Forest High School Wednesday. Both home matches are scheduled to start around 6 p.m. upon the completion of the junior varsity match.
SEASON SCHEDULE: Click here for an always up-to-date schedule for the Richmond volleyball team.
The Richmond Observer will continue its award-winning coverage of the varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams this fall.
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