ROCKINGHAM — Eleven different Lady Raiders competed in Wednesday’s Sandhills Athletic Conference doubleheader sweep against Hoke County High School, with eight of those players contributing to a win.
Head coach Neely Herndon made full use of her lineup as the Lady Raiders added two more wins to their spring campaign, improving to 5-3.
Richmond rolled in the first match, defeating the Lady Bucks 8-1. The second match was closer, seeing the Lady Raiders edge Hoke County 5-4. It was the team’s second doubleheader sweep this spring.
In the opening match, Richmond earned all six singles victoires and took two of the three doubles matches. No. 1 senior Kearston Bruce, who played just one singles match, defeated Bella Khantivong 8-0.
Freshman Katie Way was the lone Lady Raider to earn victories in all four of her matches. She started with an 8-0 win over Ava Burrow in the first No. 2 singles match.
Senior No. 3 Kaylee Parker contributed to the sweep in singles play with an 8-2 win over Taylor AcFalle, No. 4 junior Paris Almon defeated Caitlyn Moore 8-4, No. 5 freshman Neely Turner blanked Jada Garcia 8-0 and junior Kirsten McDonald cruised past Alyssa Pridgen 8-1.
Richmond added wins in the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles pairings in the first match. Top-seeded Bruce and Way made quick work against Khantivong and Burrow 8-1, while the No. 3 duo of Almon and senior Natalie Pattan shut out Garcia and Pridgen 8-0.
Senior Natalie Pattan (left) and junior Paris Almon (right) celebrate after winning their first of two doubles matches. (Michelle Parrish)
Only Way and McDonald would return to play singles matches for Richmond in the second match. Way was bumped up to the No. 1 spot and defeated Khantivong 8-0, while McDonald fell 5-8 to Burrow in the No. 2 contest.
No. 6 junior Mariah Waddell, who made her season debut, collected Richmond’s only other singles win, besting Baylee Fraser 8-4.
No. 3 sophomore Addison Massey, No. 4 sophomore Maren Carter and No. 5 junior Jenna McRae all came up short to AcFalle, Moore and Aliana Goins, respectively.
Needing a sweep in the three doubles matches, the Lady Raiders answered the call.
No. 1 Bruce and Way teamed up again to take care of Khantivong and Burrow 8-0, while No. 2 Almon and Pattan collected their second doubles win of the day with an 8-4 victory over AcFalle and Moore.
Closing the door on the doubleheader sweep was the No. 3 pairing of Turner and Waddell, who defeated Fraser and Goins 8-3.
Junior Mariah Waddell earned her first singles and doubles wins of the spring on Wednesday. (Michelle Parrish)
The Lady Raiders will conclude a busy week with its third SAC doubleheader in as many days on Thursday, traveling to Lumberton High School. Singles play will begin at 4 p.m.
