The Pinecrest volleyball team took a big step toward improving its standing for the postseason by upsetting Richmond Senior 25-22, 25-21 and 25-23 in Rockingham on Tuesday.

Coach Barbara Foxx's squad concludes regular season Southeastern Conference play on Thursday with a home match against Hoke County that begins at 6 p.m. In addition to a junior varsity match at 5 p.m., the special occasion has been designated Senior Night, Youth Night and Breast Cancer Awareness Night, all in one.

The Patriots (6-3 conference, 9-9 overall) jumped out to an 18-5 lead in the first game against the Raiders and remained in control for most of the rest of the way. They turned the tables on a Raider squad (7-2, 13-5) that swept them at home three weeks ago.

Addy George led the Pats in the hitting department with nine kills to go with six digs. Janea Williams added seven kills and four blocks. Also for the visitors, Megan Thomas contributed 12 assists and Arielle Fairly had five digs.

A Pinecrest win against Hoke, coupled with a Richmond loss against undefeated Scotland County, would put the two teams in a tie for second place at 7-3. The team that gets the nod for second under whatever tiebreaker mechanism is used, would enjoy a higher seed for the conference tournament that begins on Monday and get a first round home game in the 4-A state playoffs.

Earlier Tuesday, the Pinecrest jayvee team defeated Richmond 21-25, 25-11 and 25-17.