Franklin and Indian Creek netted victories in Wednesday’s quarterfinal round of the Johnson County Girls Tennis Tournament at Whiteland.
For the second time this week, Franklin defeated Whiteland 4-1. Indian Creek defeated Edinburgh 4-1.
With the wins, the Grizzly Cubs and Braves advance to Saturday’s semifinals.
Although the final team scores were identical, the Cubs had a much easier time against the host Warriors than the Braves did against a much-improved Lancers squad.
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Whiteland senior Alexis Corda got the Warriors off to a good start and was first off the court, scoring a 6-0, 6-0 win against Franklin freshman Abby Smith at No. 1 singles.
But the Cubs went on to earn dominant wins in both doubles matches and at No. 3 singles
Senior Lexi Hash defeated Whiteland sophomore Danielle Patterson in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 at No. 3 singles, and Franklin junior Maddy Long outlasted sophomore Aveneet Badwall 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) at No. 2 singles.
At No. 1 doubles, the Franklin duo of seniors Katie Bemis and Ashlyn Smith defeated junior Madison Scott and sophomore Paitlyn Gossett 6-4, 6-3.
And at No. 2 doubles, Cubs senior Kaitlyn Ogeden and junior Nina Biasi turned back the charge of Warriors seniors Sami Jo Hart and Alesia Robinson 6-1,6-1.
Meanwhile, Indian Creek junior Candace Danz won at No.1 singles in a match that took nearly two hours against Edinburgh sophomore Vanessa Hoskins 4-6, 6-3, 11-9.
Braves freshman Lacey Tekulve turned in an impressive outing and defeated Edinburgh sophomore Molly Bowker 6-0, 6-2.
Indian Creek’s No. 1 doubles team of senior Katie Huter and junior Baylee Wilson defeated Lancers senior Baleigh Downton and sophomore Allie Schooler 6-2, 6-0.
At No. 2 doubles, Braves senior Raven Danz combined with sophomore McKyala Russell to get by senior Ashlyn Streeval and junior Miranda Burton 6-4, 7-5.
The Lancers’ lone win came at No. 2 singles, where junior Lillie Parmer defeated Braves senior Ally Smith 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.
Indian Creek coach Ryan Posey, who stepped away for a year last season, said it’s good to be back and applauded the Braves’ performance in chilly, windy conditions.
“Conditions were windy and cold out there, which is always a bad combination, but everyone played well and everyone gave a hundred percent,” Posey said. “We’re trying to figure out who we are right now since this was only our third match, so I’m still making changes to our lineup.”
Franklin (5-2) will meet defending county champion Greenwood (3-2), and Indian Creek (2-1) plays Center Grove (1-4) in the semifinals at 9 a.m. Saturday. The winners will meet immediately after the semifinals in the championship final.
