ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Senior High School boys’ tennis team began its new campaign Tuesday with a commanding victory.
Starting their season on their home court, the Raiders and head coach Jessica Covington handed a familiar foe a loss.
Richmond hosted Scotland High School and rolled to a 9-0 win, sweeping singles and doubles play.
With an almost entirely new lineup this season, only No. 2 junior Ben Lutz and No. 5 junior Clinton Parker returned to the starting lineup. The other four singles players were newcomers.
Filling out the lineup were No. 1 junior Brian Griffith, No. 3 junior Cole Lambeth, No. 4 junior Ashton Mabe and No. 6 freshman Brian Dominguez.
The Raiders benefited from Scotland only having five players, which awarded Dominguez a forfeit win in the No. 6 singles match. Also, Richmond earned another point thanks to a forfeit in the No. 3 doubles match, which went to Parker and Dominguez.
“This was a really great way to start our season,” Covington said. “We are almost a completely new team from last year and I know some of the guys had some first-match nerves. But they worked through them and were able to do the things we’ve worked on during practice.
“Even though we are more inexperienced than the last couple of years, we have a lot of potential,” she added. “Brian (Griffith) and Ben both looked really comfortable in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, and the rest of the guys played an awesome first match.”
Following a pro-eight set format, Mabe and Parker each earned 8-0 shutout wins. They defeated Daniel Beltran and Martin Beltran, respectively.
Lambeth and Griffith each rolled to wins by a large margin. Defeating Owen McCrae 8-1 was Lambeth, while Griffith took care of business 8-2 over Jackson Hernandez.
Lutz also won by a comfortable gap on the scoresheet to complete the singles sweep. He beat Mark Labib 8-4.
In doubles action, Richmond’s pairings were No. 1 Griffith and Mabe, and No. 2 Lambeth and Lutz.
Winning 8-2 over McRae and Daniel Beltran were Lambeth and Lutz. Rounding out the shutout were Griffith and Mabe with an 8-4 victory over Hernandez and Labib.
The Raiders (1-0) have their second match of the season Thursday at non-conference Montgomery Central High School. Singles play will start at 4 p.m.
