North sweeps past BNL 5-0

BNL’s Bella Stigall hits a forehand return during action at No.1 doubles on Monday afternoon. Bloomington North rolled to a 5-0 win over the Stars.

By Justin Sokeland

WBIW.com

BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence got its first across-the-net look at one of the perennial sectional powers. Even after a year away from the court, Bloomington North is still formidable.

The Cougars fought off BNL’s best challenge on the doubles courts and rolled to a 5-0 triumph on Monday afternoon. North dropped only two games in singles to dominate the one-and-one clashes, but the Stars pushed back a little harder in the tandem tussles.

“I know how their singles usually are,” BNL coach Joni Stigall said. “It’s still Bloomington North. We were just playing a better team.”

North swept past BNL on the singles courts. Bella Winkler topped Rachel Kidd 6-0, 6-0 at No.1, Alex Shirley stopped Emily Duncan 6-0, 6-0 at No.2, and Lucy Smith bounced Becca Epping 6-1, 6-1 at No.3.

The Stars were competitive in doubles. Brooke Bailey and Keira Murphy pushed aside Bella Stigall and Mallory Pride 6-4, 6-2 at No.1, while Ellie Bruce and Siggy Force edged Isabelle Alldredge and Kinley Craig 6-3, 6-0 at No.2.

BNL’s Emily Duncan concentrates on a backhand during her match at No.2 singles.

“Our doubles, by sectional time, can turn that around a little bit,” Stigall said. “We didn’t play real well, so by sectional time we can turn those into wins. We’ve never gotten that many games on the doubles courts. I see us doing better than I thought we might.”

BNL (1-2) will visit Bloomington South on Tuesday.

Bloomington North 5, BNL 0

Singles

1 Bella Winkler d. Rachel Kidd 6-0, 6-0

2 Alex Shirley d. Emily Duncan 6-0, 6-0

3 Lucy Smith d. Becca Epping 6-1, 6-1

Doubles

1 Brooke Bailey and Keira Murphy d. Bella Stigall and Mallory Pride 6-4, 6-2

2 Ellie Bruce and Siggy Force d. Isabelle Alldredge and Kinley Craig 6-3, 6-0