Fisk, Missouri - The Richland Rebel Volleyball Team kicked off their season on Tuesday night, September the 3rd at Twin Rivers facing the Lady Royals. Although the team is still under the same coaches from last year, Coach Lisa Taylor and Assistant Coach Stephanie Depew, there have been a few changes made to the team. The volleyball players now have both a varsity team and a junior varsity team, complete with brand new uniforms.
Both teams had the chance to travel to Licking, Missouri to attend a summer volleyball camp back in June and have been going through conditioning most of the summer to prepare themselves for the practice that started in early August. The varsity team is made up of seven seniors, six of which are the varsity starters, and two juniors. The JV team is made up of two sophomores and five freshmen.
All of the volleyball players were excited to start the season on Tuesday. The JV team was the first to play on the court against the Lady Royals and it was quite the battle for both teams. Richland quickly took the lead by three points in the first set, but Twin Rivers quickly got their first point soon after due to a missed serve. Richland held the lead throughout the game, but the Lady Royals were only single-digit points away from them at all times. At the end of the first set, the JV team celebrated their first win with the score of 25 to 21.
During the second set, Richland once again started the set by gaining a two point lead on the Lady Royals. Freshman Madison Snyder had a serving streak of five serves, gaining five points for her team near the beginning of the set. Freshman Gerlynn Grossius, the JV team’s setter, also scored a number of points for the team, along with her teammate sophomore Breanna Williamson. When the set was over, the JV team took home their first win with a final score of 25 to 19.
When the varsity game began, the Lady Rebels got the first serve and started their first set. The Lady Royals were quick to take the lead with the help of their middle hitter, senior Sara Ward. The Lady Rebels began to fall behind quickly, but they were able to get back on their feet with the help of their setter, senior Ashley Lane, and their hitter, senior Mackenzie Williams. Williams had multiple blocks throughout the set, helping defend the Lady Rebels. Although the Rebels played hard and the score was constantly back and forth between the Rebels and the Royals, the Royals took the first set with a final score of 25 to 11.
During the second set, the Lady Rebels did much better, with more fire and less mistakes. Senior Kat Rofkahr scored a handful of points throughout the set. The Rebels were well on their way to a comeback, but they began to lose it near the fifteen point mark. The Lady Royals smoothly took the lead and held it for the rest of the game. The second set ended with a score of 25 to 18, with the home team, the Lady Royals, taking home the final win for the varsity game.
Richland is very proud of both of their teams and they would like to congratulate all of the JV players and both of their coaches. The community is looking forward to a great season and to all of their upcoming games. They also wish them a lot of luck to their next game on September 5th at Gideon! Their first home game will be on Tuesday, September 10th, where Miss RHS will be held before the JV game.
