ROCKINGHAM — Seniors Matthew Burns and Ty Murray have been named the Official Richmond County Male Student-Athletes of the Week, presented by HWY 55.
In a two-for-one special, the two senior tennis players served a pivotal role during the Raiders’ second-place finish at the Sandhills Athletic Conference championship over the weekend.
This is Murray’s second career recognition, while Burns was named for the first time. Both players qualified for the 4A Mideast regional tournament.
Athletic Profile
Year: Senior
Spring Sport: Tennis
Position: No. 1 Doubles
Years on Varsity: 4 years
“REGIONALS BOUND” WITH MATTHEW BURNS, TY MURRAY
Entering Saturday’s SAC championship, Burns and Murray were slated as the No. 2 seed in the doubles tournament against top-seeded Pinecrest High School.
Doubles partners since their freshman season, Burns’ and Murray’s success during the regular season earned them a first-round bye. They served as the top two singles players all spring for Richmond, as well as the No. 1 doubles team.
That set the two Raiders up with Jack Hage and Jaden Ung of Pinecrest in the semifinal round. In the first game, following a best-of-three format, Burns and Murray fell behind 0-1 after dropping the set 2-6.
Not discouraged, the two Raider teammates rallied to win the next two sets by scores of 6-3 and 6-2 to advance to the doubles championship match.
Facing the top-seeded duo of Ethan McClymont and Jake Maybouer, Burns and Murray saw their run at a hopeful title come up short. The Patriots defeated them by scores of 6-2 and 6-3.
With their finish, Burns and Murray helped the Raiders qualify for the dual match team regional, as well as securing spots for themselves in the singles regional tournament.
The team match will be played Wednesday in Greenville against Hoggard High School, with the singles championship set for Friday at the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst.
RAPID RESPONSE VIDEO WITH MATTHEW BURNS, TY MURRAY
Hear from Burns and Murray as they discuss their runner-up performance in the SAC tournament, share their expectations for regionals and talk about their time as Raider tennis players the past four years.
The Richmond Observer will publish its Official Richmond County Female Student-Athlete of the Week soon.
