ROCKINGHAM — There are just 26 days separating the Richmond Senior High School volleyball program from returning to the court for the first time in over a year.
When the Lady Raiders open their shortened 14-match regular season on Nov. 17 at Purnell Swett High School, it will have been 12 months and 21 days since their last competitive match.
With the final countdown to the season underway, third-year head coach Ashleigh Larsen and the Lady Raiders are amping up their voluntary workouts. Meeting together since the beginning of September following North Carolina High School Athletic Association guidelines, Richmond is now working out four days a week.
Because workouts don’t allow for any athletic teams to work on in-season specifics like offensive and defensive schemes, the Lady Raiders have spent the last two months conditioning and getting back into a normal routine.
In an interview with ROSports, Larsen talks about the team’s progression this fall. She said there are several players who can play several different positions and that she’s excited to be able to take the next step when tryouts are held starting Nov. 4.
Matches will be limited to just 25 spectators (not including players, coaches and officials), and Larsen also addresses some of the concerns regarding COVID-19 restrictions.
VIDEO: To see highlights from Wednesday’s team workout, and hear from Larsen, click the photo below.