SPRINGDALE -- Three seasons from now, Shiloh Christian coach Nathan Bodenstein will be in unfamiliar surroundings.
It'll be his first time coaching Saints volleyball without a Richards on the roster. Four sisters have suited up in blue and gold during Bodenstein's seven years at the school, including his past three as head coach.
Profile
Name: Haley Richards
School: Shiloh Christian
Class: Senior
Height: 6-1
Notable: The third of four sisters to play volleyball at Shiloh Christian, Haley considers herself an “introvert” who likes to spend time in her room reading books and watching her favorite movies like “Kung Fu Panda.”
Profile
Name: Lexi Richards
School: Shiloh Christian
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-0
Notable: The fourth of four sisters to play volleyball at Shiloh Christian, Haley considers herself an “introvert” who likes to spend time in her room reading books and watching her favorite movies like “How to Train Your Dragon.”
"It's been a staple to have the Richards at Shiloh," Bodenstein said. "It's going to be weird in a few years when we don't anymore. So, I'm savoring every moment when we still have them for sure."
And who could blame him? The Richards sisters have been more than program staples. They've been program changers.
The oldest, Taylor Richards, helped launch the Lady Saints' volleyball program as a junior in 2007. Tori Richards captained a 28-4-1 overall record and 14-0 mark in conference play while leading the team in hitting percentage (.391) and aces (279) in 2014. She also had 279 kills, just behind Arkansas Razorbacks freshman Reagan Robinson.
This season, the defending Class 4A state champions are 9-6 overall and 6-0 in 1A/4A-1 district play behind the play of the youngest Richards sisters: Haley and Lexi.
Haley, a senior middle blocker, led that 2014 team with 96 blocks, just ahead of big sister Tori's 77. Lexi, a sophomore, leads this year's team with 96 kills and 39 spikes. Haley has 81 kills (she's played four less sets than little sister) and a team-best 24 blocks. Both are tied for second on the squad with 19 aces.
"They are not cookie-cutter, by any means," Bodenstein said. "They are all different and all have great strengths. But one thing that has been the same is that all of their leadership skills are great."
Those skills and athletic ability come from their parents, who both grew up in Gainesville, Fla., and played sports at the University of Hawaii. Lisa Richards was a swimmer while Greg Richards played tight end and special teams for the Rainbow Warriors.
"It definitely encouraged us to start athletics very young," Haley Richards said. "My mom started us in swimming, but once we got to Shiloh, we all started (volleyball) in seventh grade ... so she kind of had to make that transition from a swimming family to a volleyball family, but she's really enjoyed it and we have, too."
In addition to having college athletes as parents, Lexi said following in her sisters' footsteps added a little pressure, but not the kind that bursts pipes because there isn't any sibling rivalry taking place.
"It was a little intimidating, just because all of my sisters have been so good at playing volleyball," Lexi said. "But they've really supported and encouraged me with everything, so it's been good."
Bodenstein called Haley the "best blocker I've ever coached" while adding that Lexi could be the best of the Richards' bunch and has the talent to play college volleyball.
"I feel like they just keep on getting better," Bodenstein said. "I think they pick up from the strengths and weaknesses of each sister, and each one made a huge impact on our volleyball program."
Sports on 09/15/2016