ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Senior High School girls’ tennis team lost for the third time in a row on Wednesday when they were shut out.
Today was the second of three Sandhills Athletic Conference games in a row for the Lady Raiders. They lost to Union Pines High School 9-0.
Richmond lost on Wednesday, which was the first time in seven games this season that they didn’t win a singles or doubles match.
Head coach Jessica Covington said, “This was a game that we could have won.” “I didn’t think the score showed it, but I thought our team had more talent.” We just didn’t make the shots we needed to, so we fell behind early.
“We’ve had a string of tough games lately, but the girls keep fighting,” she said. “Tomorrow is a new day, and I hope we can honor our seniors with a win.”
Senior Hanna Smith played well for Richmond in the No. 1 singles match and gave them their best chance to win. Lucy McPherson beat her 9–7 in extra sets.
No. 4 sophomore Colbie Covington lost to Madelyn Ragsdale 8–3, and No. 2 junior Jentry Denson lost to Bella Edwards 8–2.
Kenleigh Parker, a senior at No. 5, and Ava Thompson, a senior at No. 6, both lost 8-1 to Kinsley Creel and Ceilidh Clendenin. Junior Madison Grimes, ranked third, was shut out 8-0 by Lyan Yoxtheimer.
The Lady Raiders didn’t do much better in doubles play either. But the No. 2 team, Denson and Grimes, almost beat Yoxtheimer and Ragsdale but lost 8-6.
Parker and Thompson lost 8–2 in the No. 3 doubles match, and Smith and Covington lost 8–1 in the match between the top two seeds.
Before their game against Hoke County High School on Thursday, the Lady Raiders (2-5, 2-5 SAC) will honor their senior players.
Senior night starts at 3:30 p.m., and singles starts at 4 p.m.