FAYETTEVILLE — The early-season struggle continued for the Lady Raider volleyball team on Wednesday.
Playing its third non-conference match in as many days, Richmond and head coach Ashleigh Larsen fell in straight sets, 0-3, on the road at Pine Forest High School.
The Lady Raiders started slow with an 11-25 loss in the first set, but rallied to make it close late, dropping the second and third sets by matching scores of 22-25.
“I ran another new lineup tonight and made a little tweak to our personnel,” Larsen said. “I thought our communication was better and the girls played more aggressive, but we got in a hole in a couple of serve-receives and couldn’t battle back.”
Larsen explained she moved senior Saniah Durham to an outside hitter position, and rotated sophomores Emma Altman and Jenna Gardner at setter. Altman was the setter in the opening frame while Gardner played the right side, and the two traded spots in the second and third sets.
Junior middle hitter Catherine Dennis led the way with seven of Richmond’s 19 kills, while senior outside hitter Allyiah Swiney added four kills. Durham and sophomore middle hitter Katie Way each contributed three kills.
Altman and Gardner joined the offensive attack, recording one kill apiece. Dennis collected five blocks at the net, while also serving two aces. Altman picked up two aces, while Durham and Gardner each had one.
In the back row, sophomore libero Allie Rodgers had 12 digs to lead the team. Junior defensive specialist Joy Styles had six digs, Swiney chipped in five and Gardner added four digs.
Richmond (0-3) will regroup over the next two days and play Purnell Swett High School on the road Monday. The Lady Raiders lost in straight sets to the Lady Rams on Tuesday.
“Playing three nights in a row is good for experience, but it’ll be nice to get back to practice on Thursday and Friday,” Larsen closed. “We’ll be able to reconvene and prepare for two teams we’ve already seen.
“Now we know what to expect, and hopefully the girls can make the adjustments we need as a team. We are really going to focus on the fundamentals.”
Varsity action at Purnell Swett (1-1) will get underway around 6 p.m. following the junior varsity match.
JV Lady Raiders win second straight
The junior varsity Lady Raider volleyball team swept Pine Forest on Wednesday, earning a 2-0 win. Set scores were 25-9 and 25-9.
It was the second straight night head coach Melissa Dennis’ team earned the sweep. The JV Lady Raiders improved to 2-1 on the season.
Returning to the court on Monday, Richmond will play Purnell Swett starting at 5 p.m.
