ROCKINGHAM — Things may look a little different for the Richmond Senior High School boys’ tennis team in 2021, but the Raiders are just glad to be back on the court this spring.
Under the direction of first-year head coach Jessica Covington, the Raiders are set to begin play on Tuesday. Joining a busy spring slate around campus, the tennis team will play 12 regular-season Sandhills Athletic Conference matches.
Covington, an avid tennis player, takes over for former head coach Patrick Hope, who is currently in the midst of a spring football season, coaching the junior varsity team.
The unprecedented overlap of sports schedules because of the pandemic modified calendar has created some challenges for Richmond, but that’s not stopping Covington and company from wanting to remain competitive.
Last season, the Raider tennis team played just three matches before the NCHSAA postponed play. In those competitions, Richmond went 2-1.
“The boys’ tennis team is excited about getting the opportunity to play tennis again,” Covington said. “We have started out with very low numbers due to sports overlapping.
“But we have been focusing on getting more consistent with our shots. Drills have played an important role with helping, as well as playing matches in practice.”
Senior Bradford Pittman (right) works with freshman Will Whitely while coach Jessica Covington watches.
Much of the Raiders’ roster will remain the same this season, as senior Bradford Pittman will return as the team’s No. 1 seed. Fresh off a successful soccer season, Pittman is one of five players who played in 2020.
Joining him are senior Alex Yates and sophomores Matthew Burns, Ethan McDonald and Ty Murray. Yates was Richmond’s No. 3 singles player as a junior, while Murray filled the No. 4 slot. Burns and McDonald will look to add to the lineup this year.
New this season is senior Noah Aiken, along with freshman Will Whitley. Other players looking to make an impact are seniors Jonathan Rich and Mack West. Rich, a first-year player, will balance his golf schedule, while West will compete when not with the football team as a kicker.
“Bradford has proven to be our No. 1 seed,” Covington said. “He has not been able to practice as much due to soccer, but has already proven to hold his spot and be a leader on our team.
“Bradford’s leadership has shown with helping new members on the team and is always willing to teach, help or work with other members to help them improve.”
Of Murray, Covington said the sophomore “has improved greatly” and is competing to be the Raiders’ No. 2 seed, replacing former player Karym Ojeda.
“I can tell Ty has continued to work hard over the summer and is serious in advancing in tennis,” Covington explained. “Alex and Matthew are also strong contenders for our No. 3 seed. They both have shown great improvement this year, and the more experience they have in competitive matches, the more I feel their hard work will show.”
Covington explained that there is no set lineup and that Richmond’s players will compete against each other in practice to determine the seedings for each match.
In 2019, Richmond’s last full season, the Raiders went 4-8 against SAC opponents, which was fifth best in the standings. This year, Jack Britt, Pinecrest and Scotland high schools are expected to be top competitors for Richmond.
Sophomore Matthew Burns serves during a practice last week at Richmond Senior High School.
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.
“I would love to see an improvement in our record this year,” she closed. “The tennis program needs to grow at Richmond, and I hope to help that this year. We are working on getting our tennis ball machine working, and I really want the guys to continue to play year round.”
Richmond will open its season on Tuesday at Pinecrest High School. Singles matches will begin at 4 p.m., followed by doubles matches.
