SANFORD — After pushing two of its last three opponents to five games but coming up short, the Richmond Senior volleyball team got back into the win column.
Richmond earned a 25-14, 25-20, 25-20 victory over Southern Lee Thursday evening. It was the second time the Raiders swept the Cavaliers this season and snapped a three-game losing streak. Richmond is now 2-5 on the year.
“We executed some offensive plays tonight and it feels good to get the win,” Richmond coach Shellie Wimpey said.
Owen Bowers led the way for Richmond with six kills and seven aces. Hailey Mason notched a team-high seven kills. Altman Griffin and Madelyn Chappell each added six and five kills, respectively. Mackenzie Webb recorded 30 assists.
In the junior varsity game, Southern Lee swept Richmond. Taliah Wall led the way for the Raiders in the loss with five kills and four aces. Chloe Wiggins added three kills.
Richmond will return to action 6 p.m. Wednesday when it plays host to Anson. The Bearcats captured the first meeting in five games. Richmond will open its Southeastern Conference slate the next day when it travels to Hoke.
“It feels good to get a win with conference starting next week,” Wimpey said. “Hopefully this will be the start of a winning streak.”
Raiders snap tennis losing streak
RAEFORD — It may have taken two seasons, but Richmond Senior girls tennis coach Allie Goodman has her first victory.
Richmond defeated Hoke 6-3 Thursday night in a Southeastern Conference match. The win was the first for Richmond since downing Hoke on Sept. 19, 2013.
Richmond’s Kathrin Reister defeated Taylor Jacobs 6-0, 6-0 in the top singles matchup. Destiny Buie downed Hannah Locklear 6-3, 6-2 at No. 3. Jayana Nicholson stopped Alexa Burnett 6-4, 6-4 at No. 4. Alyson Taylor knocked off Monica Maynor 6-2, 6-1 in the final singles contest.
Hoke’s victories in singles came at No. 2 and No. 5. Alex Osorio beat Kenzie Ransom 6-0, 6-3 and Kamaria Harris edged Majasti Robinson 6-2, 7-5.
In doubles, Richmond was victorious at No. 1 and No. 3. The pairing of Reister and Ransom topped Jacobs and Osorio 8-2. Meredith Stogner and Nicholson defeated Asia Holliday and Harris 8-2. Locklear and Burnett downed Buie and Taylor in give the Bucks their only doubles point.
“It’s great. We finally have the proof that we have the passion and talent for this sport,” Goodman said. “We’ve known it, our fans have known it, but there are still some doubters out there. This win wasn’t a fluke. We all expect to see a lot more wins in the future. This is just the beginning and will remain our driving force into the next match.”
Richmond (1-1, 1-0) will return to action 4 p.m. Tuesday when it plays host to Purnell Swett.
Richmond rolls in JV football
FAYETTEVILLE — The Richmond JV football team rolled to its third straight win this season with a 62-0 rout of Douglas Byrd Thursday night.
Samad Anderson, Kaleb Douglas, Malik Flowers, Dante Miller, Jerren Stuart, Bobby Terry, Jeremy Wall and De’shun Wallace all found the end zone for the Raiders.
Richmond led 42-0 at halftime.
“I told the team after the game that I was bored,” Richmond JV coach Jay Jones said. “That wasn’t fun and that was the worst thing that could have happened to us. We have to have our minds right for Butler next week.”
Freshmen football game canceled
ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Senior freshmen football game Thursday afternoon was canceled after Hoke folded its team.
Richmond coach Patrick Hope said he is trying to find another opponent for next week because the Raiders and the Bucks were scheduled to play again.
Reach managing editor Shawn Stinson at 910-817-2671 and follow him on Twitter @scgolfer.