ROCKINGHAM — Thursday’s Sandhills Athletic Conference girls’ tennis match came down to doubles play between the Lady Raiders and Hoke County High School.
Playing for the second time this season, Richmond couldn’t hold on for the season sweep of the Lady Bucks. The Lady Raiders fell by a final score of 4-5 on their home court.
Head coach Jessica Covington said that some lineup changes hurt the Lady Raiders, who had defeated Hoke Count 6-3 on Aug. 31.
Richmond and Hoke County split the six singles matches to head into doubles tied 3-3. Unlike in the first meeting, the two teams played the best of three sets on Thursday.
Winning in singles were the top three seeds for the Lady Raiders — No. 1 senior Paris Almon, No. 2 sophomore Neely Turner and No. 3 junior Addison Massey.
Almon went all three sets, edging Bella Khantivong 6-0, 4-6 and 10-6. Turner and Massey both rolled in two sets, with Turner defeating Ava Burrow 6-2, 6-2, and Massey tallying the same scores against Caitlyn Moore.
Falling in singles play were No. 4 senior Kirsten McDonald (5-7, 4-6), No. 5 junior Maren Carter (0-6, 2-6) and No. 6 senior Mariah Waddell (6-0, 4-6, 8-10).
Needing to take two of the three doubles matches to earn the match victory, only the No. 1 pairing of Almon and Turner picked up a win. They defeated Khantivong and Burrow 8-2.
Richmond’s No. 2 and No. 3 doubles teams lost by respective scores of 5-8 and 7-9.
The Lady Raiders are now 2-6 and will travel to Pinecrest High School on Monday to make up a rainout from Tuesday. Singles play will begin at 4 p.m.
