Richmond Academy’s volleyball team is playing about as well as any team in the CSRA right now, and the Lady Musketeers extended their winning ways Tuesday night as they defeated Alleluia Community and Davidson Fine Arts 2-1 and 2-0, respectively.
Despite playing in the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools (GAPPS), Alleluia Community (18-4) came into Tuesday’s match as a more than formidable opponent, having swept the likes of local GHSA schools such as Aquinas, Evans, Grovetown and Harlem.
The school boasts one of the area’s leaders in kills in senior Tess Samaha (148 before Tuesday) and entered Tuesday’s action on a six match winning streak.
Richmond Academy still notched the victory in three sets, winning 25-19 in the first and 15-10 in the decisive third set while falling 25-16 in the middle set.
ARC also knocked off Davidson Fine Arts in two sets (25-12, 25-6) to improve its record to 20-5 overall while also maintaining a 3-1 mark area 4-AAA. The Musketeers have won three straight matches, and 10 of their last 12, losing only to area foe Morgan County in three sets back on Aug. 31 and Statesboro last Thursday.
Richmond Academy will host Aquinas (4-7) Wednesday night before getting a break to prepare for doubleheader area action at home against Cross Creek (4-5, 4-4) and Harlem (6-12, 3-2) Tuesday.
But the real test for comes a week from Thursday when it travels to Madison for a rematch with area-leading Morgan County. The Lady Bulldogs are almost always the biggest obstacle that separates Richmond Academy from an area championship. Morgan County won the teams’ first match 26-24, 17-25, 15-13.
Since being joined together in area play back in 2020, Richmond is 0-6 against Morgan County, although the matches are almost always closely contested.
ARC is led by sister-duo Carolina and Caitlyn Rivers. Carolina, a senior, leads the team in kills with 205 with sophomore sister Caitlyn not far behind with 154.
Outside of Lakeside (26-1, 5-0 in Area 2-AAAAAA play) — the Lady Panthers are ranked No. 19 in the state, regardless of classification by MaxPreps.com — Richmond Academy is playing arguably the best volleyball in the CSRA right now.
Take a look at some of the photos captured by staff photographer Teon Scott during Tuesday’s action involving Richmond Academy and Alleluia Community.
