ROCKINGHAM — Ethan McDonald, a junior tennis player, has been named the Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.
The Raiders split a pair of Sandhills Athletic Conference matches last week, but McDonald was a big part of Richmond’s sweep over Hoke County High School, which was Richmond’s first team victory of the spring.
A three-year player, McDonald is part of a strong junior class this season and has impressed early, which helped him earn his first career recognition.
Athletic Profile
Age: 17
Birthday: Oct. 24, 2004
Year: Junior
Spring Sport: Tennis
Position: No. 3 Singles
Years on Varsity: 3 years
Experience: 3 years
“ON THE COURT” WITH ETHAN McDONALD
The Raiders traveled to Sandhills Athletic Conference opponent Hoke County last Tuesday and collected a 9-0 win over the Bucks.
McDonald has served as the No. 3 seeded singles player for the Raiders, and made quick work of his opponent Christian Trotta. In their best-of-three sets, McDonald nearly shut out Trotta with scores of 6-0 and 6-2.
Also impressive in his doubles match, McDonald teamed up with freshman Jordan Jacobs to earn another victory for the Raiders. The duo defeated their Hoke County opponents by a final score of 8-2.
Through four matches this spring, McDonald is tied for the team lead with two singles wins and two doubles victories.
McDonald and Richmond (1-3) will look to rebound from a loss to Union Pines High School later in the week with two more matches this week. The Raiders host Lee County High School (1-1) on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Ethan McDonald returns a shot during a match earlier this season.. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
RAPID RESPONSES WITH ETHAN McDONALD
ROSports: You had a singles and a doubles win at Hoke County, and also are tied with the team lead with two singles and doubles wins this season. How have you been able to accomplish that?
McDonald: “My success so far sparks from my playing style, and I’m getting better at knowing the ins and outs of tennis. I have a lot more confidence in my play, especially in my ability to return the ball. I’ve also gotten better at giving short shots that are more difficult for my opponents to return.
“I’m really enjoying the season so far, and so is the team. It’s kind of a fresh start and we’ve all gotten along well. It’s like a family and we’re just having fun.”
ROSports: How have you and Jordan Jacobs worked well together to earn a couple of doubles wins?
McDonald: “I think Jordan and I are really good doubles partners, and we have a really good teamwork together. Jordan has experience and that makes it different in a good way because it’s nice to have a partner behind me that can return it easily if I miss it.
“Our chemistry is pretty good, too. We bonded pretty quickly and we have similar playing styles. So we just got together and went to work.”
ROSports: The Raiders are looking to get back to the winning side of things this week. What needs to happen and how confident is the team?
McDonald: “It’s desperate that we pick up these two wins. Lee County is new so we don’t know what to expect, but we know that we can beat Scotland. They’re our rival and a win against them would be important for the conference standings and the team.
“I think we need to continue to gain more experience, and that will come with time. As the season goes, I think we’ll continue to get better.”
The Richmond Observer will publish its Official Richmond County Female Athlete of the Week soon.
