RAEFORD - In a season that boys tennis coach Pat Hope knew would be tough to start, the Raiders finally notched a "W" in the win column over Hoke County High School on Wednesday.
Richmond was able to dominate the Bucks overall, winning 9-0, and despite the fact that Hoke County had to forfeit a single and doubles match due to a lack of players, the Raiders still took care of business in the other seven matchups.
No. 1 singles player Austin Harrington had a fight on his hands early on in the afternoon, but was victorious, winning 4-6, 6-1, 10-8, followed by No. 2 player Jimmy Cooley beating his Bucks opponent 6-1,6-0 in straight sets.
Other Raiders who were successful on Wednesday include Miles Harrington who won 6-0,6-0, Kristofer Spivey in the No. 4 spot 6-0, 6-2 and Jose Jaramillo who defeated RJ Ogburn 6-0, 6-0.
"Hoke County only had five players available, which led to them forfeiting their No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles," said Hope. "We still had to earn the other seven matches, and we did just that."
The Raiders continued their stellar play in doubles action when the Harrington twins won 8-3, and the combination of Cooley and Kevin Campos won their doubles match 8-1.
"I am proud of these guys for earning their dual match win of the season," Hope said Wednesday night. "Austin Harrington had the most intense match. After splitting the sets, he won 10-8 in the tiebreaker."
The Raiders will look to start a two-game Sandhills Athletic Conference winning streak when they host Lumberton High School on Thursday. Those matches are set to begin at 4 p.m.
