SOUTHERN PINES — The Richmond Senoir volleyball team is facing its toughest tests to date this week and is doing so on a hot streak.
Pinecrest ended Richmond’s three-game winning streak with a 25-16, 25-12, 25-11 victory Tuesday evening. Pinecrest improves to 7-5 overall and 4-0 in Southeastern Conference play. Richmond slips to 5-7 on the season and 3-1 in the SEC.
“We didn’t play as well as we did last week,” Richmond coach Shellie Wimpey said. “We missed eight serves, which is something you cannot do against a good team. We need to have a short memory and be ready for Scotland on Thursday.”
Hailey Mason had four kills to lead the attack for the Raiders. Mackenzie Webb was credited with 11 assists.
Richmond and Scotland will square off 6 p.m. Thursday in Laurinburg in a battle for second in the SEC. Scotland is 7-6 overall and 3-1 in the SEC.
The top three teams from the conference earn automatic bids into the state 4A playoffs. The No. 2 team from the SEC will more than likely have a home game in the first round of the playoffs.
Wimpey said Thursday’s contest will be important because the winner will have a leg up on the other in the race for second place.
“Losing is never a good feeling,” Wimpey said. “The girls seemed disappointed with the loss, so I’m sure they will be ready to get a win Thursday.”
Patriots take first in cross country meet
LAURINBURG — In a scheduling mixup, four schools ended up in Laurinburg for Tuesday’s cross country meet.
Pinecrest, Richmond Senior and Scotland were supposed to run in the three-team meet, but were joined by Hoke as well. Hoke was scheduled to run against Lumberton and Purnell Swett in Lumberton.
Instead of getting back on the bus and making the trek further east, Hoke elected to remain in Laurinburg. The Bucks didn’t receive any points in the meet.
Pinecrest swept the boys and girls races. Richmond took second in the girls competition and was third in the boys. Scotland was second in the boys and third in the girls.
Richmond coach Reggie Miller said it was one of the most unusual things he has seen as a coach. He added it was good to compete against Hoke, even if it didn’t count, because his runners have faced all five SEC schools now.
“It ended up being a good day to run,” Miller said. “The kids are improving,”
Zachariah Hamilton was seventh in the boys race, finishing in a time of 19:25. Zac Paul was ninth, in a time of 19:55. Cameron Hudson was Richmond’s top girls, taking 10th in a time of 24:20.
Richmond will return to action Sept. 29 when it travels to Raeford for a three-team meet with Hoke and Pinecrest.
Reach managing editor Shawn Stinson at 910-817-2671 and follow him on Twitter @scgolfer.