The Riverside High Lady Warriors will look to leap into the Class 4A State Championship Match this Saturday in Cayce when they host Catawba Ridge tonight (Nov. 3) in the Upper State Championship.
The Lady Warriors defeated Greenville 4-2 in the Upper State semifinals, continuing a dominant season that saw Riverside at 15-2 overall and 10-0 in Region 2-4A play.
Riverside continues a run of success that saw the team reach the Upper State semifinals in 2025 and the Upper State Championship Finals in 2024. Despite losing six seniors from last year’s team, the Lady Warriors haven’t missed a beat, showing the strength of the program being built by head coach Erin Benfield.
“Our motto this season has been: ‘one team, one goal,’” Benfield said. “It’s been amazing to see these girls shine on the courts as well as mature in attitude and confidence.”
The team is led by junior captain Ella McGrath, who’s played at Riverside since seventh grade and has grown into a vocal leader on the squad.
In addition to McGrath, the 2026 version of the Lady Warriors includes Sarah Brickey, Valentina Maset, Hope Fortson, Harper Meloon, Sharon Sim, Miriam Rieder, Eleanor McArthur, Lois Schriefer, and Elena Sovern.
“I’ve just told them to trust themselves and trust each other,” Benfield said. “Bring the focus and the energy.”
Tonight’s contest begins at 5 p.m. at Riverside High School.
Saturday’s South Carolina High School League 4A Championship will be held at Cayce Tennis & Fitness Center in Cayce ( 1120 Fort Congaree Trail, Cayce, SC 29033) at noon.
