ROCKINGHAM — In a barnburner of a volleyball match that went five sets, the Lady Raiders came up short against the Hoke County Lady Bucks, falling 3-2 on their home court.
The Richmond team started the first set with a quick lead, but Hoke came back and kept the score close, with the home team earning a 27-25 win.
However, it was Hoke that took and kept the lead in the next set that ended 25-17 in favor of the Lady Bucks.
The intensity of the match continued in the next two sets, with Richmond winning the third 25-19 and Hoke being victorious with a fourth-set win at 25-17.
The Lady Bucks started the final set with a 5-1 lead and maintained control throughout. But with the score at 14-10, the Lady Raiders mounted a comeback to nearly even it up at 14-13.
However, Hoke was able to score one more point to win the fifth set and the match.
“Too many mistakes on our end tonight,” coach Ashleigh Larsen said after the match. “I’m proud of the girls for fighting back, just an unfortunate end to the game. They battled hard.”
Larsen said the team would regroup and get situated for the rest of conference play.
The loss brings the Lady Raiders record to 1-2 in conference and 3-9 overall.
The junior varsity earned another victory on Tuesday, winning 2-0 with set scores of 25-17 and 25-15. They are now 2-1 in conference and 8-4 overall.
The Lady Raiders travel to Overhills in Spring Lake on Thursday.
See photos from the varsity game on the RO’s Facebook page.
