Hanna Smith: The Official Richmond County Female Student-Athlete of the Week

ROCKINGHAM — The second edition of The Richmond Observer’s weekly feature series of the 2024-25 school year features a member of the Richmond Senior High School girls’ tennis team.

Senior Hanna Smith has been named the Official Richmond County Female Student-Athlete of the Week presented by Rockingham NC Self Storage.

The Lady Raider tennis team played a pair of road matches to open the season. Despite falling short overall as a team, Smith managed to find the win column.

Smith, one of four returning starters for the Lady Raiders this season, notched her third career recognition.

Athletic Profile

Year: Senior

Fall sport: Tennis

Position: No. 1 Seed

Varsity Experience: 4 seasons

Other Sports: Bowling, Soccer

“CLASSROOM CREDITS” WITH HANNA SMITH

Back in the building Monday to start her final year of high school, Smith said she is dedicating herself just as much to her school work as her efforts on the tennis court.

A dual enrollment student, Smith is splitting her time between Richmond’s campus and Richmond Community College this semester. She’s taking three classes at Richmond — Annual Production Honors, Economics and Personal Finance Honors and Senior Senate.

Smith has already started taking Biology 111 at RichmondCC and will begin Psychology 150 later this week.

A member of Senior Senate, National Beta Club and National Honor Society, Smith is a straight-A student with a 4.60 weighted grade point average. She plans to attend a four-year university after she graduates.

“TENNIS TIME” WITH HANNA SMITH

The Lady Raiders faced two tough opponents to start the season — Southern Lee and Pinecrest high schools. Smith, who has had a strong career, is making the adjustment to playing as Richmond’s No. 1 singles seed.

Facing tougher competition, Smith was able to pick up her first win of the season with the help of junior teammate Jentry Denson. In the No. 1 doubles contest against Pinecrest, Smith and Denson knocked off the top-seeded Lady Patriots.

The final score of the pro-eight set match was 8-5 in favor of the Lady Raiders over Mollie Grafenberg and 8 Camerson Groner.

Perhaps more impressive, Smith went shot-for-shot with Pinecrest’s No. 1 player in singles action.

Falling behind early 6-0 in the first game with Livia Pratt, Smith dug in and fought back to win the second game 6-1. Nearly defeating one of the top players in the region, Smith fell just short, 11-9, in the tie-breaker.

The Lady Raiders will play on their home court for the first time Tuesday. Richmond will host Hoke County High School for a doubleheader, beginning at 4 p.m.

“RAPID RESPONSE VIDEO” WITH HANNA SMITH

The Richmond Observer will publish its Official Richmond County Male Student-Athlete of the Week Tuesday.