ROCKINGHAM — It will be a quick turnaround between seasons for the Richmond Senior High School girls’ tennis team, which is set to open its new campaign on Tuesday.
One of the last programs to wrap up play during a modified spring sports calendar, the Lady Raiders return to a regular fall schedule.
The team will also be under the direction of new head coach Jessica Covington, who is no stranger to the sport. Covington, who also serves as the boys’ tennis team’s coach, is making the switch from coaching cross country the past two seasons.
“The transition from cross country to tennis has been wonderful,” Covington said, adding she’ll miss coaching the XC team. “I feel like I’m able to help more with tennis since I used to play. I can get out there and challenge the girls and that makes me feel good as a coach.”
The Lady Raiders will see changes in their conference opponents this season, as well as many players and their respective roles in the starting lineup.
Richmond is competing in the newly realigned 3A/4A Sandhills Athletic Conference, which retained former conference foes Pinecrest and Hoke County (both 4A) and Scotland (now 3A).
Added to the conference were 3A programs Lee County, Southern Lee and Union Pines, all members of the former Tri-County Conference. Union Pines went 8-0 and won this Tri-County last spring, while Southern Lee (5-4) and Lee County (1-7) finished fourth and fifth, respectively, out of six teams.
Richmond had a strong 2020 season, going 11-3 overall and finishing second in the former SAC standings. Pinecrest won the title with a perfect 12-0 record.
Senior Paris Almon returns a shot during a practice earlier this pre-season. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
While the new SAC will feature tougher competition, Covington expects that to help the Lady Raiders in the long run.
“Our conference this year is going to be harder than in the past,” Covington explained. “As long as the girls are giving 100%, I will be happy. Some of the new teams we will face have a wonderful tennis program.
“I’m hoping that this will help us with motivating our program to start earlier,” she added. “Richmond County really needs to have more opportunities for middle schoolers to start playing tennis so we are competitive at a high school level.”
Gone to graduation are former No. 1 Kearston Bruce and No. 3 Kaylee Parker, who were both multiple-year players for the Lady Raiders. No. 2 sophomore Katie Way will not play this fall due to being on the volleyball team.
“We did lose our top three girls from last year,” Covington said. “But the girls on the team this year are working hard to make up for this loss. Their leadership, along with their determination, make me feel like they will do a great job moving to the top.”
Those departures leave the door open to senior Paris Almon, sophomore Neely Turner and junior Maren Carter to fill the No. 1 through 3 spots this spring. Almon and Carter both enter their third year with the program, and it will be Turner’s second.
Sophomore Neely Turner is slated to be the Lady Raiders’ No. 2 singles seed this season. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
“Paris is our No. 1 seed and has been working extra hard to hold her spot,” Covington explained. “She shows constant leadership and is constantly working to improve her game. She stays after practice to hit on the ball machine and is very coachable.
“Neely is our No. 2 seed and Maren will be our No 3,” she added. “They have also been working hard to sharpen their skills and be ready for our season.”
Senior Kirsten McDonald, a two-year player, is another player who will be in the Lady Raiders’ starting lineup. Covington noted that McDonald brings leadership and positivity to the team, and also shows wanting to learn more about the sport and get better.
Fellow senior Mariah Waddell, who played her first season this past spring, is also slated to be a part of the starting lineup. Of Waddell, Covington said she “has been staying after practice and working hard.”
Other players who will compete for playing time in singles and doubles matches include senior Jenna McRae, juniors Sheccid Heaton, Rachel Martin, Addison Massey and Juliane Wiegand, sophomore Ella Scott and freshmen Madison Grimes and Hanna Smith.
Senior Mariah Waddell will be in Richmond’s starting lineup this fall. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
The Lady Raiders will start their 12-match regular season this week with two home matches against Southern Lee and Pinecrest. Richmond will host the Lady Cavaliers on Tuesday and the Lady Patriots on Thursday, both set for a 4 p.m. start.
“I’m super excited about this upcoming season,” Covington closed. “I love the game, and feel like we have had some great workouts and practices leading up to our first game.
“The team is really excited about being able to play at their normal season time. The girls are aware that the change in our conference will make it a little more difficult, but look forward to an awesome season.”
