Focused and ready to play, Center Grove’s girls tennis team rolled to a dominating 5-0 win over Southport in the IHSAA regional championship Wednesday at home.
The sixth-ranked Trojans won all five matches in straight sets, losing only nine games along the way. The regional title was the fourth straight for Center Grove’s girls and 20th in the program’s history.
“It feels good. I think we’re all feeling pretty good about the way we’re playing right now,” senior Isabella Schoolcraft said. “We knew that we couldn’t take anything for granted and needed to come out here and take care of business.”
Center Grove (16-3) has won all five of its postseason matches in 5-0 sweeps, dropping only one set along the way. After fending off 16th-ranked Franklin Central in Tuesday’s semifinals, the Trojans had little trouble against unranked Southport on Wednesday.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
Schoolcraft set the tone for her team at No. 1 singles, rolling through Camille Khelseau 6-0, 6-0 in the only shutout the Trojans recorded on the day.
But the other four matches didn’t last much longer. Ellie Strube beat Maddie Lukas 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2 singles, Jillian Garrett knocked off Jenna Polly 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3 singles, Emily Hoy and Ashlee Fisk dispatched Aubrey Popovic and Rachel Dean 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1 doubles and Jenna Boha and Holyn Aukerman beat Rae Updike and Brooke Madon 6-2, 6-1 at No. 1 doubles.
“I thought we were executing really well and our doubles were moving around really well. All positions played really well,” Center Grove coach Debby Burton said. “As much as I want to win, they want to win even more. That’s their goal and they want a chance to play Terre Haute South again and see what they can do.”
Fifth-ranked Terre Haute South, 5-0 winners over North Montgomery in the regional at Crawfordsville, will be Center Grove’s opponent in the semistate, which will be held Saturday at noon at Center Grove. The undefeated Braves (23-0) were one of only three teams to beat the Trojans this season when they posted a 3-2 win in early March.
Getting a chance to pick up a revenge win will provide all the motivation the Trojans will need.
“I’d actually rather be the one that loss the earlier match. It puts a little more pressure on them,” Burton said. “They’re ranked fifth and we’re ranked sixth; let’s get out there and play tennis and have some fun.”
Schoolcraft, for one, can’t wait to get back on the court with the Braves.
“Although the last match was really close, we’re probably coming in as the underdog so it’ll be good. There is no pressure on us,” Schoolcraft said. “I think we can come out and really surprise them at all positions.”
In the individual sectional championship, Roncalli’s Emma Hess defeated Anna Osborne of Perry Meridian 6-2, 6-0. Hess will advance to the regional round at Fishers on June 2.
