ROCKINGHAM — Three Lady Raider tennis players made the 2017 All-Sandhills Athletic Conference team.

Juniors Jayana Nicholson and Greyson Way — who were dubbed all-conference for the second year in a row — were joined by senior Destiny Buie on the conference’s inaugural squad. They all helped Richmond reach the second round of the state playoffs after a third-place finish in the final conference standings.

“It was a successful season overall. We want to get to a point where this type of season is what we expect and not what we just hope for,” head coach Michael Way said last month.

Nicholson and Way caused problems in their respective singles matches throughout the season and were a formidable duo in the doubles as well. The two juniors won their opening singles in the team’s first-round playoff battle at Pine Forest and, as a doubles team, advanced to the second round of regionals.

“They both kind of lead by example. They do what they’re supposed to do,” Way said of the duo. “They both hate to lose, so no matter who they’re matched up against, they’re going to give it all they’ve got.”

Buie took over the No. 1 spot in the singles this past season and made the most out of it. She was one of three Lady Raiders to achieve a golden set (6-0, 6-0) in a dominant victory over Seventy-First’s early last month and then came close to doing so again two days later against Scotland’s Cheyenne Strong (6-0, 6-1).

With Buie graduating at the end of the school year, alongside teammates Elizabeth Burns, Kathleen Pittman and Meredith Stogner, the Lady Raiders will have to “retool a little bit” next season while relying on the other two all-SAC selections.

Nicholson has worked her up from the middle of the lineup and will more than likely take over the No. 1 spot in the singles. Way will continue playing around the No. 2 and No. 3 spots in the singles, and team up with her partner in doubles.

Reach sports editor Leon Hargrove Jr. at 910-817-2673 and follow the sports section on Twitter @RCDailySports.

Daily Journal file photo Richmond’s Jayana Nicholson, left, and Greyson Way were two of the three Lady Raiders named to the 2017 All-Sandhills Athletic Conference girls tennis team that was recently announced. The doubles duo was joined by senior teammate Destiny Buie on the conference’s inaugural squad.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_tennis.jpgDaily Journal file photo Richmond’s Jayana Nicholson, left, and Greyson Way were two of the three Lady Raiders named to the 2017 All-Sandhills Athletic Conference girls tennis team that was recently announced. The doubles duo was joined by senior teammate Destiny Buie on the conference’s inaugural squad.
Nicholson, Way make team for 2nd straight year

By Leon Hargrove Jr.

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