Volleyball blanks Lady Rams

ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond volleyball team capped off a busy week with another victory Thursday evening, taking down conference foe Purnell Swett in their second home game of the season.

The Lady Raiders, for the third time this season, made quick work of their opponent in three sets (25-12, 25-8, 25-20) thanks to a solid defensive effort that was highlighted by the team’s 51 digs.

Seniors Altman Griffin and Mackenzie Webb each finished with a team-high 12 digs to lead the charge, with sophomore Layne Maultsby adding 10 digs of her own. Savannah Lampley (6), Alexis Swiney (5), Bri Baysek (4) and Owen Bowers (2) were the other Lady Raiders who were able to record digs in the win.

Griffin was the only Lady Raider to finish with double-digits kills (14) and was able to lead the team in aces (7). Bowers and Lampley were second and third in kills, respectively, recording seven and five on the night. Webb had 29 assists in the win.

Richmond (5-0) will be at home against Pinecrest next Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m.

Soccer falls to Trojans

ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond boys soccer team had no answer for Pine Forest in the second half of Thursday’s match.

Richmond — who only allowed one goal in its first three games — gave up four scores to the visiting Trojans after the break, which led to its first loss of the season. The Raiders fell 5-1 in front of their home crowd.

Pine Forest scored its second goal of the night 48 seconds into the second half, taking a brief 2-0 lead, before junior striker Carlos Alcocer found the back the net moments later in order to cut the Raiders’ deficit to just one goal.

But that score would prove to be all the Raiders had left in their tank.

Isaiah Bennett’s score gave Pine Forest a two-goal lead, senior midfielder Shane Harkins put the visitors ahead 4-1 and junior midfielder Brandon Gonzalez capped the Trojans’ night off with a goal with only 1:02 remaining in the match.

Raiders head coach Bennie Howard predicted players would have “some tired legs” coming into Thursday’s game, as it was the third game his team has played this week.

Richmond (3-1) hopes to get back on track when it hosts Purnell Swett on Monday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m.

Tennis match ends early

FAYETTEVILLE — The Richmond girls tennis team wasn’t able to finish its match with new conference for Jack Britt due to the rain Thursday afternoon. At the time the match was called off, the Lady Raiders trailed 4-2.

The three doubles matches that weren’t played will be made up when the Lady Bucs travel to Richmond next month (Thursday, Sept. 21) for the teams’ final regular-season duel.

Before the rain came down, Greyson Way (No. 4) and Meredith Stogner (No. 5) won their singles matches, respectively, over Jack Britt’s Leonie Brown and Tatyana Sluss.

The Lady Raiders (0-3) hit the road next Tuesday, Aug. 29, to face Hoke County at 4 p.m.

Reach sports editor Leon Hargrove Jr. at 910-817-2673 and follow the sports section on Twitter @RCDailySports.

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