Prep Roundup: Blue Comets win in volleyball under new coach; Cougars roll in soccer

Southwestern Randolph’s Fernando Hernandez takes a shot against Central Davidson during one of the Cougars’ victories last week. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Asheboro secured its first volleyball victory under first-year coach Kelly Smith by defeating host Providence Grove 25-11, 26-24, 26-24 in a match last week.

The Blue Comets, who lost their first two matches of the season, won later in the week by sweeping host Wheatmore.

Asheboro’s Lia George spikes the ball toward Providence Grove’s Maggie Freeman. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Sion Murrain’s 15 kills and four digs, Piper Davidson’s 27 service receptions and 14 digs, and Ellen Long’s 10 kills led the way against Providence Grove. Lia George provided 10 kills and 10 digs against Wheatmore.

** After a loss at Oak Grove, Randleman won matches against host Asheboro by 25-12, 25-20, 25-20 and vs. visiting Northern Guilford by 25-21, 17-25, 25-22, 24-26, 15-11.

Camryn Vickery had 28 assists and Camden Scott posted 17 kills and 17 digs in the Asheboro match. Against Northern Guilford, Scott had 18 kills and 14 digs, Haley Hinshaw provided 16 kills and 12 digs and Vickery supplied 44 assists and 17 digs.

** Providence Grove went 1-2 in a trio of non-conference matches. After the result vs. Asheboro, the Patriots fell in four sets at Southern Alamance before swept visiting East Davidson behind Riley Mazzarone’s 30 assists and Mailey Way’s 19 digs.

Boys’ soccer

Southwestern Randolph had a big week with a pair of impressive performances.

The Cougars knocked off visiting Central Davidson 4-1 behind three goals from Fernando Hernandez and one goal from Pedro Ortiz.

Hernandez was back at it for three goals and three assists in a 9-0 romp at North Stanly. David Dominguez had two goals in that game.

With a 4-1 record entering this week, the Cougars are more than halfway to last year’s seven-win total and matched the four victories from two seasons ago.

** Asheboro notched two victories in three home games, falling by 1-0 to North Moore before a 3-0 victory against Ragsdale and a 2-0 decision against Christ the King.

Diego Bustamente had a goal in each of the Blue Comets’ victories.

The setback to North Moore marked the first regular-season home loss for Asheboro since October 2021.

By Randolph Record