ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Lady Raider tennis team ran into another tough Sandhills Athletic Conference opponent on Thursday.
Playing its second match of the season in as many days, the Lady Raiders suffered a 1-8 defeat to reigning SAC champion Pinecrest High School.
“Going into today’s match, we knew it would be another tough one,” head coach Jessica Covington said. “Pinecrest is always a talented team that makes us have to play our best tennis in order to win.
“The girls competed and I’m really proud of the way they stuck with it,” she added. “Neely (Turner) and Hanna (Smith) proved again how well they play doubles together. That was a quality win for them. This was a learning experience and we’ll grow from it.”
Richmond’s only victory of the afternoon came in the No. 1 doubles matchup. Senior Neely Turner and junior Hanna Smith combined to take down Emma Medina and Ella Boles 8-4.
It was the duo’s second win of the season, having also won the top doubles contest against Southern Lee High School on Wednesday.
The No. 2 pairing of junior Madi Grimes and sophomore Jentry Denson put up another quality fight against Mollie Grafenberg and Cameron Croner. They lost 7-9 in the extra set, which was also their result a day earlier.
The Lady Raiders’ No. 3 tandem of senior Ella Scott and freshman Colbie Covington came up short against Chloe Beane and Dylan Macrae 0-8.
All six singles matches went in favor of the Lady Patriots (2-1). Richmond failed to win a set in any of the matches, losing each one 0-8.
The Lady Raiders (0-2, 0-2 SAC) will pick up play next Tuesday at Hoke County High School. Singles action will begin at 4 p.m.
