BEDFORD – Trinity Lutheran conquered Bedford North Lawrence 5-0 during the opening round of the IHSAA girls tennis sectional at BNL on Wednesday.
The Cougars advanced to meet Jennings County in the semifinal round on Thursday. Seymour will face Brownstown in the other semifinal.
The Stars didn’t win any sets but played competitively. Presley Meyer topped Emma Conover 6-1, 6-2 at No.1 singles (in a match marked by a scoring discrepancy that cost Conover a game in the second set), Katie Malone stopped Bailey Guthrie 6-0, 6-0 at No.2, and Taylor Kramer knocked off Laura Wires 6-1, 6-2 at No.3.
“Emma played great despite a game that was taken away,” BNL coach Ian Dillman said. “She held her own and was able to really make her opponent work for those points. Her movement on the court has changed drastically this last half of the season. After she came back from her injury, the movement was different.”
In doubles, Liza Vaughn and Carson Bowling rolled past Lauren Salzmann and Jada Key 6-1, 6-0 at No.1, while Emily Keller and Cali Fox edged Emma Voris and Claire Edwards 6-0, 6-3 at No.2.
“It was a great match all around,” Dillman said. “We started off strong on doubles with the energy. Lauren, our lone senior on varsity, was giving it her all. She was moving great and calling shots.
“This was a great season for BNL tennis. We don’t cheat our opponents because we never want to ruin a win. These girls played by those rules this year and continued to get better regardless of the team’s record. I never saw any tears, just motivation to get better. With that mentality I know BNL will be a top contender for a sectional once again. With this offseason, these ladies are going to get better under our leadership.
“I truly am happy with the way this season has gone. The drive and passion these players have is outstanding. It’s what I need as a coach to keep going and also what the team needs for motivation.”
The sectional championship match is scheduled for Friday.
IHSAA SECTIONAL
First round
Trinity Lutheran 5, BNL 0
Singles
1 Presley Meyer d. Emma Conover 6-1, 6-2
2 Katie Malone d. Bailey Guthrie 6-0, 6-0
3 Taylor Kramer d. Laura Wires 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
1 Liza Vaughn and Carson Bowling d. Lauren Salzmann and Jada Key 6-1, 6-0
2 Emily Keller and Cali Fox d. Emma Voris and Claire Edwards 6-0, 6-3
