Prep Roundup: Randleman Tigers take off on soccer rise; Cougars win volleyball showdown

Randleman’s Chris Lopez (No. 7) and teammates Christian Lopez, left, Chris Ayala and Francisco Vences celebrate a goal against Southwestern Randolph last week. Kevin Garcia of the Cougars looks on. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Randleman showed that it’s ready to be a force in Piedmont Athletic Conference boys’ soccer.

The Tigers did that in a big way.

First, they knocked off visiting Southwestern Randolph, which had put together a strong non-conference résumé. They then ripped through Uwharrie Charter Academy for an 8-2 road victory at Zoo City Sportsplex.

So less than halfway through the PAC schedule, Randleman was the lone team without a league blemish.

The Tigers averaged nearly six goals a goal in their first four conference games, improving to 8-4 overall. Already, that’s the most victories for the Tigers in six seasons.

Nathan Murrillo had two goals and Christian Garcia and Chris Lopez each had a goal when Randleman halted Southwestern Randolph’s nine-game winning streak. Robert Barillas was credited with three assists.

Against UCA, Owen Leonard’s three goals and Francisco Vinces’ two goals and one assist led the way for Randleman.

** Southwestern Randolph bounced back from the loss at Randleman for a 4-0 home victory against Eastern Randolph. Fernando Herandez and David Dominquez both scored two goals for the Cougars.

** Wheatmore is having a rough season following a 19-win record last year, but the Warriors received two goals from Laurel Suarez Ortiz in a 4-2 non-conference victory at Thomasville. That marked Wheatmore’s second triumph of the season.

** Trinity followed had a three-game winning streak end with a loss at Southwestern Randolph but responded by going 2-0-1 last week.

** Asheboro keeps rolling along after a 5-1 road victory against Cape Fear, with Diego Bustamante scoring three goals. That was the only game for the Blue Comets (9-1-1) in a two-week stretch.

Volleyball

Southwestern Randolph prevailed for a 25-12, 21-25, 25-23, 25-23 victory against visiting UCA in the season’s first showdown between the teams in the PAC.

Raegan LeRoy provided 26 assists and 11 digs, Madelyn Smith posted 14 kills and 12 digs and Gracie Hodgin provided 17 kills for the Cougars.

Southwestern Randolph, which next swept visiting Providence Grove, has made it more than halfway through its PAC schedule without a league.  Coley Shiflet’s 17 digs and LeRoy’s 28 assists were among the highlights in the second match of the week.

UCA has just one setback. The teams meet again Oct. 12.

UCA was back on the winning path by topping host Richmond Senior in a three-set sweep behind Lizah Moore’s 10 kills and four blocks and Chloe Painter’s 19 assists and nine digs.

** Randleman recovered from a pair of losses to defeat host Eastern Randolph in three sets as Haley Hinshaw had 18 kills and eight digs, Camryn Vickery notched 37 assists and Camden Scott had 10 kills and 17 digs.

** Eastern Randolph went on the road for a non-conference victory at Asheboro in five sets, with Addie Flinchum recording 22 kills and 13 service points, Kenly Whitaker supplying 44 assists and nine service points and Kaylie Courtemanche making 15 digs.

Asheboro’s Ellen Long had 17 kills and Sion Murrain had 16 kills and 12 digs.

The outcome evened the season series between the teams. First-year Asheboro coach Kelly Smith is a former Eastern Randolph standout.

** Asheboro won twice last week in Mid-Piedmont Conference action, winning at North Davidson and at home against Ledford. Murrain (12 kills) and Long (11 kills, 4 blocks) were clutch in the sweep of Ledford.

Cross country

At Trinity, Wheatmore’s Zach Hazelwood dominated on his home course in a Piedmont Athletic Conference meet last week.

Hazelwood finished the 3.1-mile race in 18:48 for a 51-second advantage on runner-up Chris White of Uwharrie Charter Academy.

Team winner Providence Grove had Kelton Shoptaw (20:22) and Caleb Ward (21:10) in third and fourth place, respectively. The Patriots had a 25-point margin on runner-up UCA.

Laurel Bernhardt of Providence Grove was the girls’ winner with a 50-second lead on runner-up Jazmin Palma of UCA.

UCA was the girls’ team winner, with Providence Grove the only other school with a scoring team.

Girls’ tennis

Providence Grove is undefeated with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season. The Patriots’ success includes two victories against second-place Southwestern Randolph.