First Posted: 10/7/2013

Shawn Stinson

Sports editor

ROCKINGHAM — Richmond Senior volleyball coach Shellie Wimpey was conflicted at the end of the contest with Pinecrest.

Even though she was happy to have a closer match with the Patriots, Wimpey was not pleased with her team’s energy on the court.

“The scores were way better than before, but there was no intensity,” Wimpey said. “We were that close to beating a team that beat us earlier and we don’t have any intensity. We played better, but I thought it should have been a five-setter.”

Pinecrest downed Richmond 25-20, 25-21, 25-23 Monday night in Raider Gymnasium. In the first matchup, the Patriots rolled to a 25-20, 25-18, 25-14 victory.

“It is really hard to say something positive after a game like this,” said senior Ashton Davenport.

Despite the loss, the Raiders still have a chance at finishing fourth in the Southeastern Conference and hosting a tournament contest next week. Richmond is 3-6 in league play, while Lumberton, which was swept by Scotland Monday, is 4-5. The Raiders would need to upset the Scots Wednesday night and have the Pirates lose to Purnell Swett. This would give Richmond the edge in the tiebreaker because it would have defeated a higher seed.

Wimpey added she thought the chance to avoid travelling to Lumberton in the opening round of the SEC tournament next week would have also provided a spark for her team against Pinecrest.

“They seem to pick and choose which games they want to get up for,” she said. “We have to up for every game.”

Richmond will return to action 6 p.m. Wednesday when league-leader Scotland visits Raider Gymnasium.

Raiders, Rams rained out

PEMBROKE — The Southeastern Conference soccer matchup between Richmond Senior and Purnell Swett scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday was postponed because of poor field conditions.

The contest is now slated for 7 p.m. today at Purnell Swett. Earlier this season, the Raiders knocked off the Rams 10-1 in 40 minutes.

Richmond is 4-6-1 overall and 3-3 in the SEC and battling Hoke for third place in the league standings.

Hamlet stops Rockingham

HAMLET — The Hamlet Middle School volleyball team continued its winning way, sweeping Rockingham Monday afternoon.

Hamlet defeated Rockingham 25-9, 15-25, 15-10 in the first match. The Red Rams rolled to a 25-15, 25-7 victory in the night cap.

Leading the way for Hamlet were: Mackenzie Webb with 16 service points and an ace; Trinity Stanley with 14 service points; Kevonna Reed and Grayson Way each recorded 12 service points and an ace.

Hamlet (6-0) returns to action 4 p.m. Monday at Anson Orange.

Anson Blue downs Ellerbe

ELLERBE — The Anson Middle School Blue volleyball squad turned back Ellerbe in both contests Monday afternoon.

The Bearcats claimed a 26-24, 22-25, 15-8 victory in the opening match and a 25-17, 25-8 win in the second match.

Daish LeGrand led the way for the Wildcats (0-6) with 17 service points, while Jordan Sheppard added seven.

Ellerbe will return to the court 4 p.m. Monday when it plays host to Rohanen.

Richmond, Hoke to meet for kickball game

RICHMOND — Richmond Senior special needs students will take on the Hoke County special needs students in a kickball contest 5 p.m. Thursday on the softball field at Richmond.

Richmond athletic director Kevin Mabe said the special needs students from both schools will participate in a wiffle ball game in the spring.

— Sports editor Shawn Stinson can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 14, or by email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @scgolfer.