By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Life teaches lessons every day. So does tennis. Just when you think a shot was an unreachable winner, or a problem has been solved, it comes back even faster and harder. Take nothing for granted until the challenge is conquered.
Bedford North Lawrence’s senior trio, nearing the conclusion of their careers on the unforgiving asphalt courts, has endured a lot on the way to Senior Day. While they could not close with a victory, they could celebrate the journey.
The Stars fell to Salem 5-0 on Thursday, not the storybook finish that was envisioned as Jackson Corey, Laedon Jones and Traeden Robinson were honored. Winning at life was the consolation prize, and that will last much longer than the thrill of a single conquest.
“I love how a lot of tennis applies on and off the court,” said Corey, on his way to the University of Southern Indiana to study dental hygiene. “Always keep fighting, no matter what the score is. It comes with a lot of struggles, there’s a lot to the mental game. It has also shaped who we are, on and off the court.”
Jones counted his blessings. He’s been broken down by injuries and circumstances during his four-year career, but he has bounced back.
“Finally playing a full season, without injury, is just a blessing,” said Jones, destined for Rose-Hulman to major in civil engineering. “It’s taught me, no matter how much you’re going through, you have to forget all of that and push through. And it’s all coming to an end.”
Robinson has been a jack-of-all-sports-trades, adding a single season of tennis to his personal collection of baseball, track and golf. He’s on his way to Indiana University for pre-med.
”You learn how to compete every single day,” he said. “In doubles, it’s more of a team sport. You have to trust your guy, and he has to trust you.”
The Lions were too tough, sweeping singles while dropping only three games. Griffin Richards conquered Jones 6-0, 6-0 at No.1, Carter Richards handled Aden Ralston 6-1, 6-0 at No.2, and Carson Albertson defeated Levi Thompson 6-2, 6-0 at No.3.
In doubles, Salem’s Brady Davis and Gunner Walton stopped Corey and Asher Thompson 6-2, 6-1 at No.1, while Landon Irwin and Luke Ingram topped Trey Kiser and Robinson 6-0, 6-3 at No.2.
”It was not the best night for us,” BNL coach Ian Dillman said. “I wanted a win for our seniors, but unfortunately it wasn’t ours. Salem was competitive out there on the courts. I couldn’t be upset with the way we’re playing. We just got outplayed.
”We played great on all the courts but Salem had that upper edge against us. Laedon was looking great out on the court but just couldn’t close out those tight games with his guy. It was the same story for Jackson at doubles. He was playing awesome out there with Asher, but unfortunately we couldn’t string more than a few points together before Salem stopped us in our tracks.”
BNL will host Floyd Central in the first round of the Hoosier Hills Conference tournament on Monday.
Salem 5, BNL 0
Singles
1 Griffin Richards d. Laedon Jones 6-0, 6-0
2 Carter Richards d. Aden Ralston 6-1, 6-0
3 Carson Albertson d. Levi Thompson 6-2, 6-0
Doubles
1 Brady Davis and Gunner Walton d. Jackson Corey and Asher Thompson 6-2, 6-1
2 Landon Irwin and Luke Ingram d. Trey Kiser and Traeden Robinson 6-0, 6-3
