Riverside’s varsity volleyball season came to a close Tuesday, Oct. 20, as the Pirates fell to Covington in straight sets in their tournament opener in Sidney. Riverside battled throughout the opening set but came up short, 25-18, before Covington gained momentum and pulled away in the second set, 25-14. The Buccaneers continued to build on that advantage in the third set, closing out the match with a 25-10 victory to end the Pirates’ postseason run. Despite the difficult finish, Riverside continued to compete through all three sets, looking to extend its season in the opening round of tournament play.

Kara Klingler helped lead the Pirates’ offensive efforts, finishing with a team-high 13 assists as Riverside worked to generate scoring opportunities against Covington’s defense. Emilee Robinson anchored the defensive effort, recording 27 digs to lead the Pirates in keeping rallies alive and challenging the Buccaneers throughout the match. The loss brought Riverside’s 2026 campaign to an end with a 4-17 overall record. While the Pirates were unable to advance in the tournament, Klingler’s playmaking and Robinson’s defensive production highlighted individual contributions in the season finale as Riverside closed out its year.