ROCKINGHAM — A strong junior class will highlight what head coach Jessica Covington hopes to be another successful season for the Richmond Senior High School boys’ tennis team.
The Raiders return this spring with three starters from last year, all juniors who enter their third season of competitive play. They are Matthew Burns, Ty Murray and Ethan McDonald.
Richmond will return to a fuller schedule this year after a condensed conference-only schedule saw the team go 8-4 in 2021. This is also the first season the Raiders will compete in the newly realigned 3A/4A Sandhills Athletic Conference.
“We are very excited to start off our season,” Covington said. “It is nice to have a full season planned out and to be playing in the spring this year.
“I think our conference is going to be more challenging than last year,” she added. “Picking up Union Pines will be a hard match for our team. Pinecrest also will be very challenging.”
Richmond will also face familiar opponents Hoke County and Scotland, while adding Lee County and Southern Lee.
Junior Matthew Burns returns a shot during practice earlier this week. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
Losing four seniors from last year, two of whom were starters, Richmond also adds a mixture of newcomers and some other experienced players. Among them are freshman Jordan Jacobs, sophomore Will Whitley and foreign exchange students Thomas Kvapil, Marcelo Cantu and Han Jalbasuren.
Covington expects Murray, Burns, McDonald and Jacobs to serve as the Raiders’ top four singles players. Heading into next week’s season opener, Kvapil and Cantu are the other two favorites, although the team will use seeding matches in practice to determine the lineup.
Additional players this spring who could contribute in singles and doubles play are sophomore Brent Humann and freshmen Gavin Applewhite, Matthew Leggett and Billy West.
“Ty is returning and has shown to be a great leader,” Covington said. “He will be playing as the No. 1 seed and has been instrumental with helping run practices and working with other teammates on their forms and serves.
“Matthew has also been working hard to improve his game and is currently the No. 2 seed,” she added. “We’re also glad to have Ethan back with us and there is nothing about his game that is your typical tennis player. But he keeps his opponents on their toes with his distinct swing and play.”
Ethan McDonald is one of three juniors returning to this year’s team. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
Covington noted that she is also excited to have a large group of new players, as well as three foreign exchange students contribute to the program.
Certain things that Murray and the other veteran players have been working on are perfecting their own skill set while also crafting their younger teammates’ game.
“Our junior class has been here since ninth grade, so we have a lot of practice and match experience,” Murray said. “I definitely expect a lot out of our top couple of seeds with our juniors. We are trying to help teach the right forms and have all the guys have good technique.
“We are working on our swings and becoming more consistent,” he continued. “Improving our power and our footwork are also important. Footwork is one of the most underrated parts of tennis.”
While skill acquisition and development are key areas of focus for the boys’ tennis team this spring, Covington said the long term goal is to make the program better and more competitive.
With the current depth, she feels that’s an obtainable goal this season.
“I feel like we are seeing growth within our team,” Covington explained. “I am excited to have so many returning players that are not seniors. We are only going to get better.
“I am expecting us to do well in our conference this season,” she closed.
Freshman Jordan Jacobs brings experience and is expected to help the Raiders this spring. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
Richmond will open its season with two home conference matches next week, starting with Southern Lee on Tuesday. Pinecrest will visit on Thursday, and both matches will begin at 4 p.m.
