RAEFORD — Playing in its third match of the season, the Richmond Senior High School girls’ tennis team earned its first win at Hoke County on Tuesday.
Head coach Jessica Covington switched around her lineup in singles and doubles, which led to a 6-3 win over the Lady Bucks in Sandhills Athletic Conference play.
The Lady Raiders won four of the six singles matches, and took two of the three doubles contests.
Unlike previous matches this fall, Tuesday’s singles action was played following a best-of-three format, while doubles were played in a pro sets (first to eight games).
No. 1 senior Paris Almon, No. 2 sophomore Neely Turner, No. 5 junior Maren Carter and No. 6 freshman Hanna Smith each earned her first respective singles win of the season.
Almon defeated Bella Khantivong by scores of 6-3 and 7-5, while Turner rolled past Ava Burrow 6-1 and 6-0.
Carter collected a win against Jada Carvajal Garcia by posting scores of 6-1 and 6-2, while Smith, who made her season debut, made quick work against Bailey Mass 6-1 and 6-0.
In the No. 1 doubles match, Almon and Turner held off Khantivong and Burrow 8-4, and the No. 3 pairing of Smith and senior Mariah Waddell cruised past Carvajal Garcia and Mass 8-2.
Richmond’s No. 3 singles player senior Kirsten McDonald fell to Molly Bartch 4-6 and 5-7, and also falling was No. 4 junior Addison Massey to Alyssa Cascavilla (2-6, 1-6).
Hoke County picked up its third win in the No. 2 doubles match, seeing Bartch and Cascavilla defeat McDonald and Massey 1-8.
“Paris and Neely played an awesome match today,” Covington said. “They worked hard to win, especially Paris. The girls moved their feet better and also played really well together in doubles.
“Hanna did awesome coming out and winning her first match,” she added. “She has shown so much improvement for being a freshman. Maren also did great playing at No. 5 to pick up a solid win.”
The Lady Raiders (1-2 SAC) will return to the court on Thursday at Union Pines High School. Play will begin at 4 p.m.
