Senior night ends in victory for Lady Raider tennis team

ROCKINGHAM — A comeback win in singles proved pivotal for the Richmond Senior High School girls’ tennis team Thursday.

Giving their six senior players a match to remember on senior night, the Lady Raiders returned to the win column.

Richmond defeated Sandhills Athletic Conference opponent Hoke County High School 6-3, sweeping the regular-season series.

The victory also snapped a season-long three-match losing streak.

Sophomore Colbie Covington erased a two-game deficit in her No. 4 singles match, which padded Richmond’s lead going into doubles.

“This was a great day for the team,” head coach Jessica Covington said. “We got to start by honoring our senior players, all of whom have been great teammates and contributors to our team this season.

“Before the match I told the girls to really focus in and find that fire to want to get a win today,” she continued. “They responded by playing a great overall match and battled hard when it really mattered. I’m so proud of everyone.”

Richmond notched wins in four of the six singles competitions before clinching the victory with a pair of doubles wins.

Two of the starting seniors — No. 1 Hanna Smith and No. 6 Ava Thompson — earned singles victories.

Both cruised to 8-0 wins over Laura Pena-Laverde and Razia Cabero, respectively.

No. 2 junior Jentry Denson added to the win column when she defeated Hera Lin 8-5.

Covington trailed Kalea Parker 5-6 in her singles match before knotting it up. Forcing the extra sets, Covington came from behind to win 9-7 and gave the Lady Raiders a two-match lead heading into doubles.

No. 3 senior Madison Grimes and No. 5 senior Kenleigh Parker each came up short 4-8 to Fa’alentiono Lin and Azari McLean, respectively.

Taking care of business in doubles, Smith and Covington, along with Parker and Thompson, tacked on the final two wins.

In the No. 1 pairing, Smith and Covington won 8-4, while Parker and Thompson took the No. 3 match 8-3.

Grimes and Denson came up short 6-8 in a close No. 2 duel.

Richmond (3-5, 3-5 SAC) will return to the court Tuesday at Lee County High School. The SAC match will begin with singles at 4 p.m.