PHOTOS: Lady Raider volleyball shows versatility in first jamboree

PINEHURST — Less than 24 hours after the final roster was posted for the upcoming season, Richmond’s varsity volleyball team found itself on the court.

With three days of tryouts and a short practice in the books, the Lady Raiders gave a preview as to what the new slate will bring.

A hard-hitting group of a dozen players competed in a pre-season jamboree hosted by Sandhills Community College.

In Richmond’s practice pod were familiar non-conference opponents Purnell Swett and Uwharrie Charter Academy, along with Sandhills Athletic Conference foe Union Pines High School.

Led by seventh-year head coach Ashleigh Larsen, this year’s team features three seniors, four juniors and five sophomores.

Returning to varsity are seniors Ava Edmondson and Abby Wellman, along with sophomores Riley McDonald and Kenley Smith.

Making the jump to varsity are senior Sharonda Henderson, juniors Leiana Brooks, Carleigh Gibson, J’Nasia Neal and Ka’mora Watkins, along with sophomores Madisen Jackson, Kalynn McCormick and Kaylan Parsons.

Richmond played each of the three teams for 45 minutes with a running clock. No official score was kept, with Larsen saying the main objective was for the team and its players to get acclimated with one another.

“For making the team (Friday) and only practicing for about 40 minutes, I saw a lot of good things from the girls today,” Larsen said. “They’ve worked hard all summer and I saw a lot of the things we’ve gone over used at times in the scrimmages.

“We played pretty cohesively today and the girls started meshing together when I left lineups in together a little bit longer,” she added. “The goal today was for the girls to get acquainted with one another on the court and I think we were able to do that.”

“I told the girls I wanted them to be versatile,” Larsen explained. “They could be in one position to start and then be somewhere totally different the next go-around. I really wanted them to make adjustments, adapt and overcome.

“Our first scrimmage was kind of rough, but then the girls started making those adjustments,” she closed. “Once we were settled in, we played a lot better. And I think the girls had fun.”

Next week the Lady Raiders will continue practice and also participate in a two-day camp run by Tusculum University.

Richmond’s season opener against Forest Hills High School is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 12, at 6 p.m.

The Richmond Observer will publish a season preview, complete with a schedule and video interviews, early next week.

Below are photos of Saturday’s scrimmages, taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.