ROCKINGHAM — In the second installment of ROSports’ new “Raider Video Chats,” a series of interviews to highlight players and coaches, the Richmond Senior High School volleyball team takes its first swing of the fall campaign.
The Lady Raiders are officially back to work this week, concluding summer workouts and tryouts over the weekend. Ashleigh Larsen enters her second season as the head coach and is looking to bounce back from a third-place finish last season and reclaim the Sandhills Athletic Conference title.
Making their way back for their final season on the court are five seniors: Jasmine Ewing (right side hitter), Jadyn Johnson (outside hitter), Madison Jordan (outside hitter), Carley Lambeth (setter), Layne Maultsby (libero). Johnson, Lambeth and Maultsby are returning starters, while Ewing and Jordan will look to fill the spots of former players Savannah Chappell and Savannah Lampley.
Also returning are juniors Georgia Grace Anderson (middle hitter), Taylor Chappell (middle hitter) and Emy Cooley (defensive specialist), who each saw some playing time a season ago. New to the varsity team this year are juniors Jakerra Covington, Kelly and Shelly Hoffman and Jayla McDougald.
In this edition of Raider Video Chats, Larsen, Anderson, Lambeth and Maultsby all offer their thoughts on summer workouts, the upcoming season and what they hope the team achieves in 2019.
Ashleigh Larsen, head coach
Larsen is not shy in letting people know she’s competitive and wants the best for her program and players. This summer, she implemented a tough workout regimen to get her players conditioned for the season, while also seeing her vision fall into place after getting her first season under her belt. She discusses what challenges are in place to help set the program’s bar even higher. (click photo for video)
Carley Lambeth, senior setter
Lambeth jumped into the setter role last season as a junior and has worked hard this offseason to get better at putting up passes to her teammates. She excited for her final campaign and talks about what she thinks is the best part about being a Lady Raider volleyball player. (click photo for video)
Layne Maultsby, senior libero
Maultsby is the only returning four-year starter, as she’s served as the team’s libero since her freshman year. As one of five seniors, Maultsby is looking to embrace her final year and fulfill her leadership responsibilities on and off the court. (click photo for video)
Georgia Grace Anderson, junior middle hitter
Anderson kept busy this summer with travel volleyball and noted that experience will help her out during her junior year. As one of the tallest players on the team, her height will also serve as an advantage at the net blocking shots and getting kills. (click photo for video)
The Lady Raiders open pre-season play on Wednesday at home with a scrimmage against Uwharrie Charter Academy. Junior varsity will start at 4:30 p.m. followed by the varsity team.
ROSports will continue its Raider Video Chats series later this week with the Raider soccer team and the Raider football team’s defense.
