Matt Harrelson
ROCKINGHAM - Thursday's matchup for the Richmond Raider girls tennis team was supposed to take place at Seventy-First High School in Fayetteville, but due to poor court conditions thanks to inclement weather, the game took place in Richmond County instead.
The Lady Raiders took advantage of the home court and pushed their winning streak to four, all against Sandhills Athletic Conference opponents, with an 8-1 win over the Lady Falcons.
The day's matchups were cut a bit short due to Seventy-First only sending two players to Richmond to compete, but No. 1 singles player Jayana Nicholson took care of her counterpart Alliyah Smith 8-0. No. 2 player Greyson Way followed suit, defeating Lady Falcon Ty'Kariah Harper 8-0, as well.
Emily Parsons, Chloe Wiggins, Taylor Parrish and Emily Buie were all able to take a break from conference action in the No. 3-6 spots.
Richmond head coach Mike Way said Thursday's matchup was "more of a practice today than a match," but it allowed his players to get a little practice time in to stay fresh and prepare for Scotland High School next week.
In doubles action, the No. 1 and 2 matches were also forfeited with Parrish and Ashley Yepez playing the No. 3 slot against Smith and Harper, losing 8-6 to bring the overall score to 8-1 for the afternoon.
"We're just trying to clean up some things and trying to force the action a little more," Mike Way said of Thursday.
As far as the Lady Fighting Scots are concerned, Way knows his team needs to work hard to put up a fight against the conference rival.
"They are always competitive," added Way. "There is just a little extra something when it is Scotland and Richmond."
The Lady Raiders will host Scotland on Tuesday at Richmond Senior High School, followed by another SAC foe, Purnell Swett High School, for the second time this season Thursday on their home court. Both matches are set for 4 p.m.
