ROCKINGHAM — An early-season slump for the Lady Raider tennis team continued on Thursday.
Richmond Senior High School competed in its second Sandhills Athletic Conference match, welcoming in the reigning conference champion Pinecrest High School Lady Patriots. For the third time in three matches this fall, the Lady Raiders were swept 9-0.
Just two days after putting up a strong fight in its singles and doubles matches against SAC opponent Purnell Swett High School, Richmond was blanked in straight sets in all six of its singles matches.
Richmond’s No. 1 junior Kearston Bruce faced off against Pinecrest’s Caroline Landry, and No. 2 sophomore O’Cean Bennett played Brook LaFrenz. Both would go down 0-6 in straight sets.
In the middle matches, No. 3 Kaylee Parker dropped her match to Maddie Arrington, while No. 4 sophomore Elizabeth Henry fell to Isabella King. To close out singles play, No. 5 sophomore Paris Almon lost to Anna Grace Black and No. 6 sophomore Ellie Buck came up short against Kat Watford.
Doubles play wasn’t much easier for the Lady Raiders. Representing Richmond in the No. 1 doubles match were Bruce and Bennett, and the pair fell by a final score of 2-8. The No. 2 doubles duo of Parker and Almon also lost, falling to 0-8.
Wrapping up the afternoon was the No. 3 doubles match, comprised of Henry and Buck representing Richmond. They, too, would lose, seeing the pair fall 1-8.
“Pinecrest is a very good team,” head coach Neely Herndon said. “It was good for our girls to compete against a team of that caliber. They continue to improve each match.”
Still looking for their first win of the 2019 campaign, the Lady Raiders (0-3, 0-2 SAC) will have three opportunities next week against conference opponents. Richmond will open the week with back-to-back road matches on Tuesday and Wednesday at Jack Britt and Hoke County high schools, respectively.
Herndon and company will return home on Thursday to host Lumberton High School. All three matches are slated for a 4 p.m. start.
