Tennis team racks up wins

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Kelly Webb

Sophomore Emilee Cunningham serves the ball as senior Lauren Bentley stands ready at the net.

The varsity tennis team placed second last weekend in the Amarillo Tournament. The team is 9-1 for the season, with their only loss to Tascosa 11-8. On Saturday, the Raiders beat Wichita Falls Rider 15-4. The team’s second match against Wichita Falls High was cancelled due to lightning.

The Raiders will play Canyon for their first district match on Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 4:00 at Canyon High School. Sophomore Drew Norman said his main goal for the team season is to defend their title as district champions.

“I want us to go and do well at regionals and help my team to make it in any way that I can,” Norman said. “All we have to do is continue to be as good of players and people off the court as we are on the court.”

Norman said he expects the Raiders to beat Canyon on Tuesday.

“I think that we will win, but Canyon always puts up a good fight,” Norman said.

Senior Lauren Bentley said her favorite memory from high school tennis was beating Amarillo High for the first time.

“Even though Amarillo High wasn’t in our district, our team just came together and did something a lot of people didn’t think possible,” Bentley said. “When we play Canyon on Tuesday, I think the Eagles have no hope at beating the Randall Raiders.”

Bentley said Randall tennis is quickly rising in the world of tennis and won’t be falling in the near future.

“Four years ago when I started tennis, I had no clue I would get to be a part of such an amazing program,” Bentley said. “Randall tennis is not only headed to success, but has a chance to be ranked in the top ten high school tennis teams in the state of Texas.”

Bentley said she would like to grow closer to all of her teammates this season.

“I think we need to work on being a closer team altogether,” Bentley said. “Honestly, we are an amazing team on and off the court and I am blessed to be a part of such an amazing program.”