RAEFORD — After having nearly a week off between matches because of wet weather, the Raider tennis team shook the dust off with a road win against Hoke County on Wednesday.
Richmond and head coach Patrick Hope rolled to their biggest win of the season, blanking the host Bucks 9-0. It was the first time in the season’s 11 matches that the Raiders held their opponent scoreless.
The win moved Richmond’s overall record to 4-7, while closing the gap to 4-5 against Sandhills Athletic Conference teams. The Raiders completed the regular-season series sweep of the Bucks.
“It was a solid performance all the way through our lineup today,” Hope said. “I think we are starting to peak at the right time with the conference tournament coming up next week. I hope it continues with our last home match with Lumberton.”
Starting the clean sweep for the Raiders was No. 1 player and senior Kevin Campos, who defeated TJ Osorio 6-3, 6-2. No. 2 sophomore Bradford Pittman was equally impressive against Josue Soto, edging hin 6-2, 6-2 in his two sets.
In the teams’ first meeting in March, Campos lost his match, but Pittman defeated Soto for the second-straight contest.
No. 3 senior Caleb Brewer was one of two Raiders to hold his opponent scoreless on the day, shutting out Michael Kilgore 6-0, 6-0. In the No. 6 hole, sophomore Alex Yates returned to singles action after not playing the last couple of matches, and defeated Dison Gibson in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.
Also picking up wins were No. 4 senior Mason Bailey and No. 5 sophomore Karym Ojeda. Bailey was nearly perfect against Arthur Khantivong, rolling to a 6-0, 6-1 victory. Ojeda took care of business against Jesus Guzman 6-1, 6-2.
The Raiders also swept doubles play, winning each of the three matches by a final score of 8-1. No. 1 Campos and Pittman teamed up to knock off Osorio and Soto, while the No. 2 pairing of Brewer and Bailey didn’t have much of a problem against Kilgore and Khantivong.
Hoke County inserted Lameko York into the lineup with Guzman in the No. 3 match, as Ojeda and Yates made quick work against them.
The Raiders will close out regular season play Thursday at home against Lumberton High School. Currently, Richmond is in fifth place in the SAC standings, a half a game behind the Pirates. Matches will start at 4 p.m.
