ROCKINGHAM — As we near the conclusion of our review series, the next program to be featured is the Richmond Senior High School boys’ tennis team.
It was a season of growth for the Raiders and head coach Jessica Covington in 2026.
Facing a new conference, as well as seeing several players adjust to new spots in the lineup, the Raiders spent much of their focus on team development.
One of the high points this spring was a doubleheader sweep on their home court against Pine Forest High School.
Read the original article from March 31, 2026:
ROCKINGHAM — Playing a doubleheader Tuesday against a Mid-South Conference opponent, the Richmond Senior High School boys’ tennis team picked up a pair of wins.
Bouncing back following Monday’s 8-1 loss to Pinecrest High School, the Raiders hosted Pine Forest High School. The doubleheader was the result of a rainout from earlier this month.
Richmond didn’t need to go to doubles in the first match, winning 5-1. That was followed by a 7-2 victory in the second contest.
“Playing a doubleheader is always a tough task, but the guys did really well and played some of their best tennis today,” head coach Jessica Covington said. “I’ve been so impressed by how everyone is continuing to take what we learn in practice and apply it to our matches. Our growth as a young team has really blossomed.
“Getting two wins today against a conference opponent puts us back at .500,” she added. “I think the guys are realizing they have the talent to win matches and that’s helped us a lot. I’m proud of each of them for their hard work today.”
No doubles needed in first match
The Raiders No. 2 through No. 6 singles players each earned a victory in the opening match, cementing the 5-1 team victory.
No. 6 senior DJ Gainey had the largest margin of victory, earning a shutout win 8-0 over Brandon Lee.
No. 5 freshman Brian Dominguez and No. 2 junior Ben Lutz each won by large margins as well. Dominguez defeated DarEric Burvig 8-1 and Lutz notched an 8-3 win over Jett Schemper.
Richmond’s other wins in the first match came from No. 2 junior Cole Lambeth and No. 4 junior Ashton Mabe. Both had 8-6 wins over James Baus and David Berriri, respectively.
Coming up short 6-8 in the No. 1 match was junior Brian Griffith to William Van Wy.
Raiders roll in five-point win to close doubleheader
Five of Richmond’s six singles players faced the same opponent in the second match. The Raiders earned four singles wins and swept doubles play for a 7-2 victory.
A trio of players – No. 4 Mabe, No. 5 Dominguez and No. 6 Gainey – had an 8-1 win in singles action. Mabe and Dominguez defeated Berriri and Burvig for the second time, while Gainey took down Miles Johnson for his second win.
Lutz also finished the afternoon with two singles wins, as he handed Schemper an 8-2 loss to complete the No. 3 singles sweep.
No. 1 Griffith was shut out 8-0 by Van Wy, and Lambeth split his matches with Baus following an 8-6 loss in the second meeting.
Covington switched up her doubles pairings and it worked out, as the Raiders ran away with the win by taking all three doubles matches.
The No. 1 duo of Lambeth and Mabe earned an 8-6 win over Baus and Burvig, which was followed by an 8-4 win by the No. 2 duo of Griffith and Gainey against Schemper and Berriri.
Richmond’s largest doubles win came courtesy of the No. 3 team of Lutz and Dominguez, who handed Van Wy and Lee an 8-1 loss.
The Raiders (4-4, 3-3 MSC) have off until after spring break. Their next scheduled match is April 13 at Jack Britt High School.
