Tied at two matches each, Whiteland junior Paityn Gossett overcame some first-set jitters to lift the Warriors to a 3-2 quarterfinal win against Indian Creek in Wednesday’s quarterfinal of the IHSAA Center Grove Girls Tennis Sectional.
Gossett defeated Braves freshman Katie Burkman 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 at No. 2 singles to secure the win for Whiteland.
With the win, Whiteland (7-10) advances to today’s semifinals against defending champion Center Grove (12-3).
Greenwood (9-2) will take on Franklin (9-7) in today’s other semifinal.
Gossett found herself down 5-1 in the first set but rallied with some key lobs and drop shots.
She finally caught her rhythm in the final set to outlast the effort of Burkman.
Meanwhile, Whiteland’s No. 1 doubles team of juniors Danielle Patterson and Aveneet Badwal earned a 7-5, 6-4 win against the Braves duo of senior Baylee Wilson and junior Mckayla Russell.
“Confidence has been the key to our success all season,” Patterson said.
“If you lose your confidence you’re not going to play as well. Keep a smile on your face and keep going. You’ve got to play to win always.”
Badwal said communication is key.
“I’ve noticed if one of us is getting angry, the other has to stay calm, and I’m pretty good at doing that,” Badwal said.
“If you lose communication, it’s all going to go downhill.”
In the No. 2 doubles match, Whiteland sophomores Hannah Blum and Riley Burnside got by junior Sara Knight and sophomore Mya Piccione, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Indian Creek’s two victories came at singles.
At No, 1, senior Candace Danz defeated Whiteland freshman Reese Johnson 7-5, 7-5.
At No. 3, Braves senior Sydney Johnson beat senior Lucy Foster, 6-2, 6-1.
At the Columbus East sectional, Edinburgh (9-4) ended its season with a first-round loss to Columbus North 5-0.
