The Riverwood Raiders volleyball team opened its 2026-27 home schedule Tuesday, Aug. 4, hosting back-to-back non-conference matches against Drew and Atlanta Classical Academy at the Riverwood gym.

The doubleheader marked the first home action for a program that stayed busy over the summer. Head coach E'Lisa Ladson, entering her fourth year leading the Raiders, ran a well-attended camp in June that drew what Riverwood Athletics called in a social post "a gym full of Future Raiders."

Ladson, an Atlanta native and St. Pius X graduate, was named the Leigh Hudson Female Coach of the Year by the Riverwood Athletics Department for the 2025-26 school year, according to the department's coaching staff page. She coaches volleyball in the fall before transitioning to girls basketball in the winter.

Beyond the varsity court, Ladson has been building a Junior Raider Volleyball program aimed at developing players at the middle school level within the Riverwood cluster. She also created "Friday Night Spikes," a community-facing match night that packs the gym with fans.

No scores were posted from Tuesday's matches as of Wednesday morning.

The Raiders compete in GHSA Region 7-6A, though the early-season slate is non-conference. Region play begins later this fall.

Riverwood's next home match is Thursday, Aug. 6, at 5 p.m. against North Paulding. Tickets are available on GoFan, and fans can stream home matches via the NFHS Network. All attendees must follow Fulton County Schools' Clear Bag Policy, and there is no re-entry to the gym once inside.

As we reported Aug. 3, the Raiders' fall sports season also includes cross country, softball and football already underway.