NORTH VERNON – Jennings County conquered Bedford North Lawrence for the second time this season, posting a 3-2 win in the consolation round of the Hoosier Hills Conference tournament during high school tennis action on Thursday.
The Panthers took the top two singles and the bottom doubles, in similar fashion to their 3-2 win over the Stars on Aug. 25.
Jennings’ Luke Napier topped Laedon Jones 6-2, 6-0 at No.1 singles, Asher Morin edged Aden Ralston 6-3, 6-4 at No.2, while Xander Sedam and Lachlan Stidham combined to stop Trey Kiser and Traeden Robinson 6-3, 6-2 at No.2 doubles.
“I’m not the happiest with the outcome,” BNL coach Ian Dillman said. “We have lost our way these past two weeks. Our mental game has turned upside down, and we aren’t able to string more than a few points together on a few courts. Overall, not our best night, and it’s time to put that behind us. We showed up physically for Jennings but not mentally.”
BNL’s wins came from Levi Thompson (6-1, 6-2 over Colten Short at No.3 singles) and the No.1 doubles duo of Jackson Corey and Asher Thompson, who rolled to a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Addex Belding and Charlie Treadway.
“They took control of their matches and didn’t struggle,” Dillman said. “Our doubles has great volleys and great serves. Those are two important things for doubles. It’s the one-two punch – one serve, second ball is a return and the punch volley at the net to end the point. Perfectly executed.
“Levi had a great match, coming up to the net and putting the ball away with angle volleys and put-away overheads. It’s the best I’ve seen him play recently.”
The Stars (6-9 with four straight losses) will host Jeffersonville in the final round of the HHC on Friday.
Hoosier Hills Conference
Consolation round
Jennings County 3, BNL 2
Singles
1 Luke Napier, JC d. Laedon Jones 6-2, 6-0
2 Asher Morin, JC d. Aden Ralston 6-3, 6-4
3 Levi Thompson, BNL d. Colten Short 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
1 Jackson Corey and Asher Thompson, BNL d. Addex Belding and Charlie Treadway 6-1, 6-0
2 Xander Sedam and Lachlan Stidham, JC d. Trey Kiser and Traeden Robinson 6-3, 6-2
