Richmond Senior No. 1 singles player Courtney Pope hits a lob shot against Hoke on Thursday at the high school. Pope won her match, 6-4, 6-3.
The Lady Raiders took four of the six singles matches, but Hoke swept the doubles matches and won just enough singles matches to escape Rockingham with a 5-4 win in the Southeastern Conference opener for Richmond.
Singles winners for the Lady Raiders included Courtney Pope at No. 1, who beat Toni Howell, 6-4, 6-3; Ashley Martin at No. 2, who defeated America Kelly, 6-3, 6-4; Maegen Davis at No. 3, who topped Laurin Clark, 62, 6-3; and Katy Shelley at No. 6, who gutted out a 5-7, 6-4, 10-6 three-set win for the Lady Raiders.
It was a disappointing outcome for Richmond coach Paula York, who felt her young, inexperienced squad matched up well with the Lady Bucks.
“Things didn’t quite go our way out there today,” York said. “But we had some good matches, and the girls played hard. We’re getting better.”
Richmond did win a pair of exhibition matches.
The Lady Raiders dropped to 0-3 on the 2010 season (0-1 SEC). They return to action on Tuesday, when they will travel to Purnell Swett for another SEC matchup with the Lady Rams.
Contact sports editor David Vantress at 997-3111, ext. 14 or via email at dvantress@yourdailyjournal.com.
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