SEASON PREVIEW: Depth, experience key for Lady Raider tennis

ROCKINGHAM — The tennis court will be filled with more playing experience this fall than in recent seasons for the Richmond Senior High School girls’ tennis team.

Less than a week away from officially opening the season, the Lady Raiders and fourth-year head coach Jessica Covington will look to put that experience and knowledge to the test all in pursuit to win as many matches as possible.

Four returning starters from a season ago will be the starting point in the Lady Raiders’ lineup. All moving up in the singles rankings are seniors Madison Grimes and Hanna Smith, junior Jentry Denson and sophomore Colbie Covington.

Losing just two starters from last fall, the Lady Raiders will only have to fill that many slots. With nine other players on the roster, Covington will have several options to pick from.

Smith, a four-year starter for Richmond, will take the responsibility of the No. 1 singles seed. Since her sophomore season, Smith has climbed from the No. 4 seed to the No. 2 player as a junior.

Covington noted that Denson and Grimes will likely compete for the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, with Colbie Covington rounding out the No. 4 seed. All four returners played nearly every match last fall for Richmond, bringing experience in singles and doubles.

Among the other players who will be competing for a starting role in singles or doubles play are three other returners to the team — senior Kenleigh Parker and sophomores Ella Edwards and Natalie Richardson. Each of them will look to contribute a larger role this fall.

New to the team this season are seniors Megan Harris, Kaylin Sanders and Ava Thompson, junior Skyler Collins, sophomore Angelina Culbreth and freshman Sydney Barnes.

With a mixture of returning talent and several newcomers, Covington said the team is confident in its depth as the Lady Raiders prepare for the season. She added that Barnes has made a significant push to be a starter in her first season.

With time to still finalize the rotation, Covington explained that Richmond’s players will battle each week to determine singles seeding. Doubles teams are also in the process of being finalized, as both lineups could change week to week.

A season ago, the Lady Raiders finished with a 6-6 overall record and finished in the top half of the conference standings. While they competed in the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament, none of the Lady Raiders made it to the playoffs.

Covington said the goal is to remain competitive this fall. She believes Richmond can contend with the better teams in the SAC and hopes the Lady Raiders can make a push for the top spots.

Richmond will have to face Pinecrest and Union Pines high schools, which finished first and second in the conference standings last year. The higher-quality competition is something Covington said bodes well for the team.

The ultimate goal this fall, Covington said, is for the team to qualify for the NCHSAA 4A Mideast regional tournament. Missing out the past few seasons, the last time Richmond made the postseason was when former players Kearston Bruce and Katie Way played doubles in 2021.

The Lady Raiders will open with two away matches next week, starting with Southern Lee High School Tuesday.

That will be followed by another road contest Thursday at Pinecrest High School. Both matches will begin at 4 p.m.

Below is a complete 2024 season schedule for the Lady Raider tennis team. Home matches are bold and all matches are against SAC opponents.

Aug. 20 @ Southern Lee, 4 p.m.

Aug. 22 @ Pinecrest, 4 p.m.

Aug. 27 vs. Hoke County (doubleheader), 4 p.m.

Aug. 29 vs. Union Pines, 4 p.m.

Sept. 3 @ Lee County, 4 p.m.

Sept. 10 vs. Scotland, 4 p.m.

Sept. 12 vs. Southern Lee, 4 p.m.

Sept. 17 vs. Pinecrest, 4 p.m.

Sept. 24 @ Union Pines, 4 p.m.

Sept. 26 vs Lee County, 4 p.m.

Oct. 3 @ Scotland, 4 p.m.

The Richmond Observer will continue its award-winning coverage of the girls’ tennis team this fall.

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