ROCKINGHAM — Entering her sixth season as head coach of the Richmond Senior High School girls’ tennis program, Jessica Covington believes the Lady Raiders are positioned to take a step forward this fall thanks to the return of much of last year's lineup and increased competition throughout the roster.
After graduating just two players from last season (Jentry Denson and Skyler Collins), Richmond returns several athletes with experience and added depth that Covington feels will make the team more competitive across the board.
“I definitely think we'll be a little bit more competitive,” Covington said. “We only lost one senior (Denson) from our starting six last year and we have a lot of girls with experience coming back.”
Leading the way for the Lady Raiders will be a strong top of the singles lineup featuring returning players Colbie Covington (senior), Molly Covington (sophomore), Sydney Barnes (junior) and Erin Drumwright (junior). Covington expects that group to provide stability and experience as the season gets underway. Last season, Colbie Covington and Molly Covington along with Denson occupied the top three spots in the lineup for much of the year, with all three named to the all-conference team.
While it is expected that the Covington sisters will represent the team in the No. 1 and No. 2 positions, Coach Covington noted that Barnes and Drumwright could challenge for those positions entering the season.
“I feel like Sydney and Erin along with Colbie and Molly will be a good, strong four for us,” Covington said when discussing the team's upper-tier players. “I think they're going to hold their side.”
Richmond also welcomes back several returning players who are expected to compete for spots in the starting six, including Natalie Richardson (senior), and sophomores Sadie Grooms, Briley Webb, Autumn Cooper, Autumn Maree, Rylee DeCubellis and Carly McDonald. Richardson and Grooms are among the players Covington believes could secure a regular role in the line-up, but there is still time and she noted that they will both have to work for those positions.
One newcomer drawing attention early in practice is senior Macie King. Although new to competitive tennis, King has impressed Covington with her athleticism and rapid development during preseason workouts.
“Macy King is a potential starter,” Covington said. “She plays softball for us. She’s just a great athlete and she’s showing a lot of progress in a short amount of time.”
To determine the final lineup, the Lady Raiders have spent the preseason competing in challenge matches and round-robin play with each other, allowing players to earn positions through on-court results.
With a deeper roster and more returning experience than in previous years, Covington believes the Lady Raiders are in a position to improve and become more competitive throughout the schedule.
Richmond is currently scheduled to open its season with a home, non-conference match against Cheraw High School (South Carolina) on Aug. 26.
