Home Local Sports The Week Ahead: 4 varsity programs, 3 JV teams in action

The Week Ahead: 4 varsity programs, 3 JV teams in action

Jenna Gardner and the Lady Raider volleyball team are one of four varsity teams competing this week. (Kyle Pillar, sports editor)

ROCKINGHAM —  The second full week of Richmond Senior High School athletics will see another program open its fall campaign.

Richmond’s boys’ soccer, volleyball and football programs will continue play, as the girls’ tennis team is set to join the action.

Volleyball ready to face three familiar opponents

The Lady Raiders are asking fans to “fill the stands” as they will play two of their three matches on their home court.

After opening the season with a 1-2 record last week, Richmond and head coach Ashleigh Larsen will face the same three non-conference teams this week. Up first is a road match at Purnell Swett (2-1) on Monday, the team the Lady Raiders defeated.

That will be followed by home matches on Tuesday and Thursday against Uwharrie Charter Academy (1-0) and Montgomery Central (1-1). All matches will begin around 6 p.m. following the junior varsity team, which looks to build on its 3-0 start.

Boys’ soccer seeks first win

Head coach Chris Larsen was pleased with the Raider soccer team’s efforts during its first two matches last week, which ended in a one-goal loss and a draw. Now the team will get an opportunity to clinch its first win of the fall in front of its home crowd.

The Raiders will welcome in a pair of non-conference opponents, starting with Independence (1-1) on Monday. That will be followed by familiar former conference foe Purnell Swett (1-1) on Wednesday.

Monday’s action will begin at 7 p.m., which will be preceded by the JV Raiders (0-0-1) also hosting the Patriots at 5 p.m. Wednesday’s match is varsity only, beginning at 6 p.m.

Girls’ tennis opens season on Tuesday

Joining the mix of fall sports this week will be the Lady Raider tennis team, coached by second-year head coach Jessica Covington.

The Lady Raiders will kick off their season at Sandhills Athletic Conference opponent Southern Lee High School on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The Richmond Observer will publish a season preview, complete with video interviews, soon.

Football teams prepare for Butler

Looking to get into the win column this week will be the varsity and junior varsity football teams. The varsity Raiders suffered a 45-7 loss to Mount Tabor to open the season last Thursday, and the JV team’s game was postponed due to rescheduling the varsity game.

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This week will feature another home game for the varsity Raiders and coach Bryan Till, who will square off against non-conference David W. Butler (1-0). Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Raider Stadium.

On Thursday, the JV Raiders will make the trip to Butler and begin play at 6 p.m. A preview article will be published later in the week.

Richmond County Official Athletes of the Week

The Official Richmond County Male and Female Athlete of the Week features, sponsored by HWY 55, return this season and will be published in the coming days.

Note: The Richmond boys’ and girls’ cross country teams have their first meet on Aug. 31, and the girls’ golf team opens competition on Sept. 6. The Richmond Observer will publish season previews.



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Kyle Pillar is a 22-time North Carolina Press Association award-winning sports editor with The Richmond Observer. Follow the sports department on X @ROSports_ for the best in-depth coverage of Richmond County sports.