ROCKINGHAM — Richmond Senior High School’s girls’ tennis team wrapped up its regular season slate at home on Thursday.
Hosting Sandhills Athletic Conference opponent Scotland High School, the Lady Raiders would close their final match with a 2-7 loss to the Lady Fighting Scots. It was the second time this season Richmond fell to Scotland, the other time a 3-6 loss on Sept. 12.
After collecting four wins in six matches down the home stretch, Richmond lost its final two regular-season matches this week to finish 4-9 overall, and 4-8 against SAC opponents. The Lady Raiders finished in sixth place in the conference standings.
In singles’ play, only No. 5 sophomore Elizabeth Henry earned a win against her opponent Thursday, defeating D’Averia Johnson 8-1. The victory proved to be Henry’s sixth singles win in 13 matches, which was the best mark on the team this season.
Sophomore No. 4 Paris Almon saw her match against Sara Madison Leggett go to extra frames, as the Lady Raider fell just short, 7-9. No. 3 junior and reigning Official Richmond County Female Athlete of the Week Kaylee Parker nearly earned her fourth win of the season, but was dashed late, 5-8, by Emma Lewis.
Rounding out singles play were No. 1 junior Kearston Bruce (2-8 loss to Claire Carter), No. 2 sophomore O’cean Bennett (1-8 decision to Samantha Bowen) and No. 6 sophomore Ellie Buck (2-8 loss to Katie Smith).
Individual singles match records during the regular season were: No. 1 Bruce (3-10), No. 2 Bennett (2-11), No. 3 Parker (3-10), No. 4 Almon (2-11), No. 5 Henry (6-7) and No. 6 Buck (4-9).
Almon and Henry would combine to win their fifth doubles win of the year, a team high, and their first together in the No. 2 pairing. The duo of Lady Raiders would defeat Lewis and Leggett 8-6 for Richmond’s only other individual win of the afternoon.
Bruce and Bennett made things close in the No. 1 doubles match, dropping off late against Carter and Bowen 7-9. Parker and Buck teamed up in the No. 3 pairing and lost to Johnson and Smith 4-8.
Head coach Neely Herndon used a variety of pairings to compete in doubles play this season, but the best combination was Almon and Henry, who finished with a 5-2 record, mostly competing in the No. 3 slot. Up next were Buck and Parker with a 3-5 record in the No. 2 doubles matches.
The Lady Raiders will prepare for the SAC conference tournament, which will be held at Hoke County High School on Monday. The all-day event, which will help determine which teams make the regional tournament, is set to begin at 12 p.m.
