ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Senior girls tennis team is on fire.
After snapping a losing streak that stretched two seasons, Richmond is now on a two-match winning streak after knocking off Purnell Swett 7-2 Tuesday evening. The win improved the Raiders to 2-1 on the season and 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference.
“The girls played even better today than they did our last match,” Richmond coach Allie Goodman said. “Some fought back to force three sets, which is rare. I mentioned last time that this wasn’t a fluke, this should prove that it wasn’t. We have a tough match coming up on Thursday, but we won’t be going down without a fight.”
Richmond will welcome Lumberton 4 p.m. Thursday.
In the win over Purnell Swett, Richmond won four of the six singles matches. Kenzie Ransom topped Brooke Huggins 6-3, 6-4 in the No. 2 singles. Destiny Buie stopped Emily Deese 6-4, 6-1 at No. 3. Jayana Nicholson defeated Kari Brooks 6-4, 6-1 and Majasti Robinson rallied to knock off Myla Clark 3-6, 7-5, 10-7.
Purnell Swett’s only wins of the match came in the No. 1 and No. 6 singles matches. Nikana Oxendine blanked Jerry Leigh Goodwin at No. 1 6-0, 6-0. Hailey Evington outlasted Alyson Taylor 7-5, 4-6, 10-6.
In doubles, Buie and Ransom beat Huggins and Oxendine 8-3. Nicholson and Robinson slipped past Brooks and Deese 9-7. Meredith Stogner and Tylor defeated Clark and Evington 8-6.
Cross country teams take second
LUMBERTON — The Richmond Senior boys and girls cross country squads finished second in their three-team meet Tuesday afternoon.
Pinecrest snagged first and Lumberton was third in both meets.
The Patriots won the boys meet with a score of 17, the Raiders totaled 48 and the Pirates finished with 71. Richmond’s Brandon Silva placed fourth with a time of 18:03.
In the girls meet, the Patriots had 15 points, the Raiders had 52 and the Pirates recorded 76. Richmond’s top finisher was Cameron Hudson in a time of 24:58.
“We are going to get better as the season goes on,” Richmond coach Reggie Miller said. “If they keep practicing like they are, we will be fine.”
Richmond will return to action Sept. 15 when it hosts Purnell Swett and Scotland in a three-team meet.
Girls golf finishes fourth
RAEFORD — The Richmond Senior girls golf team took fourth in the first Southeastern Conference golf match of the season.
Pinecrest claimed first in match with a team score of 311. Purnell Swett was second with a 344. Hoke totaled a 358 to finish third. Richmond posted a score of 405 and Scotland was fifth at 422. Lumberton didn’t arrive to the match on time because of bus problems and didn’t compete.
Cassie McFayden had the best individual score for Richmond, carding a 92. Mckenzie Hudson and Natalie Davis both fired a 102. Kylie McDonald shot a 109. Dakota Stevens finished with a 113 and Hayley D’Antonio had a 122.
The SEC teams will compete against 2 p.m. Monday when they will play one of the courses at Pinehurst.
Reach managing editor Shawn Stinson at 910-817-2671 and follow him on Twitter @scgolfer.