Daily Reporter staff reports
FORTVILLE — The New Palestine boys tennis team needed one more Hoosier Heritage Conference victory to lock down its share of the title.
The Dragons did just that Tuesday as they defeated HHC rival Mt. Vernon on the road 5-0 to claim the conference crown.
The Dragons are 14-4 this season and 6-0 in the HHC. They traveled to HHC foe New Castle on Wednesday for a shot at an outright championship.
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Against Mt. Vernon, Matthew True collected the first points for the Dragons at No. 1 singles with a 6-0, 6-0 win. True improved to 14-4 on the season.
Ben Blachly won at No. 2 singles with a 6-1, 6-4 showing. Carson Gavin recovered from a 3-0 first-set deficit against Mt. Vernon’s Thomas Obergfell to win the match 6-3, 6-1.
Nick Rusche and Colby Wagoner swept the first set at No. 1 doubles 6-0, but they trailed the second 2-1 against Mt. Vernon’s Sam Frye and Brayden Browning. The duo powered back, taking the second set 6-4.
At No. 2 doubles, David Hockett and Dane Reid defeated Mt. Vernon’s Peyton Meadors and Sam McCarty 6-4, 6-1.
The junior varsity won 3-2 to give the Dragons the complete sweep.
Royals lose to Tri
The Eastern Hancock boys tennis team lost to Tri on Tuesday night 3-2. The Royals claimed points in two of three singles matches to keep it close.
Kodey Huff won at No. 2 singles 6-1, 6-2, while Ian White rolled 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 singles.
The Royals traveled to Anderson on Wednesday and host the Eastern Hancock Invitational on Saturday.
Singles lead Cougars
The Greenfield-Central boys tennis team played a solid match Tuesday, defeating visiting Batesville 3-2.
The victory improves the Cougars’ season record to 6-12.
The Cougars stepped up to secure the win after Batesville grabbed a 2-0 lead by sweeping doubles play. From there, Greenfield-Central’s three singles players responded.
Both Mason Bussel at No. 2 singles and Bradley McDowell at No. 3 singles found themselves in an early 1-4 hole during the first set. The duo rallied back, however, to win their sets and matches in two sets.
McDowell won 6-4, 4-0 (injury in second set) to collect the first point. Senior Kole Willis won at No. 1 singles for the second point, 6-1, 2-6 before settling it with a third-set tiebreaker 10-3.
With the match tied 2-2, Bussel stayed a game up throughout his final set and won two clutch games for the victory 6-6 (8-6), 7-5.
They hosted HHC foe Yorktown on Wednesday.
Boys soccer
Marauders drop fourth
The Mt. Vernon boys soccer team couldn’t change its luck Tuesday night, falling to Covenant Christian on the road 3-1.
The loss marked the Marauders’ fourth straight. They are now 8-5 on the season.
Mt. Vernon’s lone goal went to Jacob Knepper assisted by Tim Broaders. The Marauders will look to rebound and end the streak tonight as they travel to Pendleton Heights for a shot at an outright Hoosier Heritage Conference title.
