ROCKINGHAM - The Richmond Senior High School Lady Raider volleyball team has established a winning trend over the past couple of seasons. And first-year head coach Ashleigh Larsen hopes to keep it that way.
A year ago, Richmond went an unprecedented 25-0 during the regular season and the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament, clinching its second straight conference title. Over the past two seasons, the Lady Raiders have gone a perfect 24-0 against conference opponents in regular season play.
Adding to the resume was the No. 2 overall seed in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s 4A state playoffs that Richmond earned in 2017, the program’s highest seed in history. And not to mention the five All-SAC selections, with former outside hitter and UNCW commit Altman Griffin earning her second straight conference “player of the year” honor.
In 2018, that core group from a season ago is gone, including four of those All-SAC selections and former head coach Shellie Wimpey. But cue an optimistic Larsen and her 11 varsity players who she believes know what it takes to remain at the top.
“I’m hoping to be a three-time defending conference champion this year,” Larsen said following Tuesday’s practice. “That’s the goal every year, and knowing what we have sitting in our hands, we’d hate to give that up. The girls have even said they have their goals set for playing through the end of October.
“We definitely have a lot to live up to -- Shellie left program the best it’s ever been,” she continued. “We could break another school record this year if the girls work hard enough. My primary goal is to have us work together as a team, remain positive and sweeping the conference on the way to winning another title would be awesome We want to win as many matches as we can.”
With the departure of four seniors in Bri Baysek, Owen Bowers, Kenzie Webb and Griffin, Larsen returns one starter from a year ago in rising senior Savannah Lampley (who also made the All-SAC team in 2017). Joining her as returners to the squad and with playing experience are: Savannah Chappell (rising senior), Jadyn Johnson, Layne Maultsby and Allexis Swiney (all rising juniors).
As noted in previous articles this summer, Larsen believes her squad can do damage on the court, but is still in the process of assigning positions to her players. Lampley, who has a strong kill as an outside hitter, will be transitioning and starting the season as the team’s setter. Using a possible two-setter setup, Larsen hopes to incorporate rising junior Carley Lambeth at setter to eventually move Lampley back outside.
Other members on the team, who are all making the jump from junior varsity, are: Jasmine Ewing and Madison Jordan (rising juniors), and Georgia Grace Anderson, Taylor Chappell and Emy Cooley (rising sophomores).
“We're looking really good and filling those holes of the (graduated) seniors has gone a whole lot easier than I thought,” Larsen commented. “There are five girls coming back, but I’m moving everyone around into different positions. They all seem very aggressive and eager to be in practice to learn.
“The mentality (of the program) has been to be at the top, and we want to stay there,” she added. “Our confidence level is high, and the girls have looked good early this season.”
While she believes this year will be a “developing year” for her players, Larsen explained that the transition from junior varsity head coach to varsity head coach for her has been pretty seamless.
“I’ve been able to transition the team to more of my style, which is not too much different right now than what they’re used to,” Larsen said. “It’s a benefit because I have a whole new team at varsity with a few girls transitioning up from junior varsity last year. It’s more so adjusting to how I run things, like wanting more aggressive hits and having them understanding different hitting positions.”
Some of the things the Lady Raiders have been working on in practice are “slides and quicks,” two hitting positions that Larsen emphasized enhances her team’s play calling. She also noted how the younger players are going through a “slight learning curve,” mostly focusing on transition to a faster speed and pace of play at the varsity level.
“At the end of practice (Tuesday), I switched around teams three times to get a feel for what works best,” Larsen said. “Besides Layne (libero), no one has a definite spot and will be playing a different role. Right now, my starting six is up in the air. Anything is possible -- the girls have the necessary volleyball skills, but they need to work on learning to play with a whole new group and develop team cohesion.”
Last season’s historic season ended with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Lake Norman High School in the second round of the NCHSAA playoffs. And while the second round has been a speed bump that has halted the Lady Raiders in the past, Larsen believes the 2018 team can reach its goals if the it puts in the work.
“Our goal is to stay where we were (in conference) and keep that trend going in the playoffs,” she said. “If we are No. 1, and stay No. 1, that will boost our confidence to believe in ourselves. We can overcome (losing to to Lake Norman) by being smarter than the other teams, being better on defense and finding holes on offense.
“Both Savannahs have stepped up and taken lead of the team and are getting people where they need to be,” she added of emerging leaders. “They stay positive, and are very encouraging. They’re the type of girls you want the younger girls looking up to -- they’re both well-rounded girls, and I’m happy to have them as seniors my first year.”
Richmond will open its season with an exhibition jamboree Saturday, Aug. 11, at Lee County High School, which Larsen said will give her a better idea of where her players are developmentally and position wise. From that, she’ll configure her starting six.
The Lady Raiders will be the first RSHS fall sports program to open their official season on Tuesday, Aug. 14, at home against non-conference opponent Uwharrie Charter. They’ll follow that up on Wednesday, Aug. 15, by hosting Anson High School, another non-conference matchup. Both matches will start around 5:30 p.m. following the junior varsity matches.
“I’d like to see same support the program has had the past couple of years,” Larsen concluded. “The girls work hard year round, and the more support we can get, the better. Volleyball is a growing sport in this county, and we’re hoping to grow interest. It’s not just Raider football season -- it’s Raider sports season and I’d like to see everyone come out.”
