ROCKINGHAM — With students set to return to classes on Monday, Richmond Senior High School’s fall athletics programs will roll into Week 3 of competition.
The upcoming slate of games will also see the Raider soccer team and Lady Raider volleyball team open up Sandhills Athletic Conference play.
Joining the action with their first meet of the season will be the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams.
Raider soccer to play 3 matches, build on first win
After securing its first win last week against Purnell Swett, the Raider soccer team and head coach Chris Larsen will stay busy with three more matches this week. Two are non-conference, sandwiching the Raiders’ SAC opener.
Richmond (1-1-1) will host Uwharrie Charter Academy (1-0) on Monday, followed by a road trip to begin SAC play at Southern Lee (2-1) on Tuesday. Both matches are slated for a 6 p.m. start and will be varsity only.
Capping the week will be another away match against Lumberton (2-1) on Thursday at 7 p.m., a make up from a rainout earlier in the season.
The JV Raiders (0-1-1) will host Central Academy on Tuesday at 6 p.m., followed by a road trip to Lumberton with a 5 p.m. start.
Lady Raider volleyball team prepares for 2 conference matches
Head coach Ashleigh Larsen and the Lady Raider volleyball team split their first six matches to enter SAC action with a 3-3 record. Last week, Richmond took two of its three matches.
Looking to build on last season’s sixth-place finish in the SAC standings, the Lady Raiders will start with a pair of road conference matches. Up first will be Southern Lee on Tuesday (3-2), followed by Pinecrest (4-1) on Thursday.
Ahead of the varsity matches, which will start at 6 p.m., the Richmond junior varsity team will also play the Lady Cavaliers and Lady Patriots. Looking to snap a two-match skid, the JV Lady Raiders (4-2) will begin at 5 p.m.
Lady Raider tennis team seeks first win
The Richmond girls’ tennis team played just one match in its first week, a five-point loss to Southern Lee. Hoping to get into the win column, the Lady Raiders (0-1) will have two more chances at home against SAC opponents this week.
Tuesday’s match will feature Hoke County, followed by Union Pines on Thursday. Singles action is set to begin at 4 p.m.
No. 2 junior Neely Turner and No. 3 senior Addison Massey both earned singles wins in their first match. They, along with the rest of the team, hope to add on this week.
Cross country teams open new season with new coaches
The Richmond boys’ and girls’ cross country teams will start their seven-meet season on Thursday at Union Pines at 4 p.m.
Running against the host Vikings, Lee County will also compete. Richmond is coached by first-year coaches Ashleigh Buie and Morgan Tedder this season.
The Richmond Observer will publish a season preview, complete with video interviews, soon.
Football teams ready for Cardinal Gibbons
Both the Richmond varsity and junior varsity football teams will look to get into the win column this week. The varsity Raiders are currently 0-2, while the JV Raiders are 0-1.
Week 3 will feature another competitive opponent for both squads in Cardinal Gibbons High School. Head coach Bryan Till and the varsity team will travel to Raleigh on Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff against the Crusaders (0-2).
The JV Raiders and head coach Ryan Mercer will play their first home game of the season on Thursday, also at 7 p.m.
Note: The Richmond girls’ golf team opens competition on Sept. 6. The Richmond Observer will publish a season preview.
