Daily Reporter staff reports
INDIANAPOLIS — The New Palestine boys tennis team put up a spirited fight Tuesday during the North Central Regional, but the match’s crucial third point proved allusive as they lost to Lawrence North 3-2.
The Dragons won both doubles matches in the regional opener to improve upon their 4-1 first-round regional loss to the Wildcats last season.
New Palestine’s season closes with a 19-5 record, an eighth straight county championship, a Hoosier Heritage Conference title and a sixth consecutive sectional crown.
The Dragons dominated their doubles matches with their net-rushing tactics. At No. 1 doubles, Nick Rusche and Colby Wagoner faced a 5-2 deficit in the first set, but the duo recovered to win the set 7-1 in the tiebreaker. They went on to win the second set 6-2.
David Hockett and Dane Reid overpowered their opponents at No. 2 doubles to win 6-1, 6-0. Their victory tied the match 2-2 before the Wildcats completed their sweep at singles.
Matthew True lost 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, while Ben Blachly fell at No. 2 singles 6-4, 6-1.
Carson Gavin pushed Lawrence North’s Zack Pointer during the final match at No. 3 singles, narrowly losing 7-6 (1) in a tiebreaker and 6-4 in the second set.
Despite the team’s loss, Rusche and Wagoner advanced in the IHSAA individual state tennis tournament at No. 1 doubles. They played the No. 1 doubles team from Hamilton Southeastern on Wednesday at North Central.
Volleyball
Cougars fall to Royals
The Greenfield-Central volleyball team lost 3-0 to visiting Hamilton Southeastern on Tuesday.
The Cougars are now 18-12 on the season with one more match to play before sectional competition next week.
Hamilton Southeastern won the match 25-19, 25-19, 25-12. Makayla Price led the Cougars’ offense with 11 kills followed by Ava Antic’s nine.
Molly Broome dished out 23 assists for the Greenfield-Central and added four total blocks. Mary Voigt had three total blocks. Morgan Grigsby finished with seven digs.
The Cougars host Hauser tonight before facing Mt. Vernon in the quarterfinals of Sectional 9 on Thursday, Oct. 12.
Marauders win 3rd straight
The Mt. Vernon volleyball team won its third consecutive match with a 3-2 victory against host Noblesville on Tuesday.
The Marauders were coming off a 3-0 win against Shenandoah on the road Monday night.
Mt. Vernon jumped out fast against the Millers, taking the first two sets 25-22, 26-24 before Noblesville charged back 25-13, 25-13. In the decisive fifth set, the Marauders prevailed 15-10.
Grace Hurst led all Mt. Vernon defenders with 29 digs as four different Marauders totaled double-digit digs. Victoria Bulmahn had 20, Claire Ertel and Sarah Herman both finished with 10 each.
Olivia Yeley and Bulmahn each had five block assists. Herman led the offense with 14 kills, while Ertel and Bulmahn had 13 and 10, respectively.
Meridan Eads recorded 19 assists, and Bulmahn added 18.
Mt. Vernon (14-11) travels to New Palestine for their final HHC match tonight at 5:30 p.m.
Royals take down Panthers
The Eastern Hancock volleyball team defeated rival Knightstown 3-2 Tuesday night.
The Royals won the match 25-18, 18-25, 23-25, 25-20, 15-11.
The victory improves the Royals’ record to 19-13 with one more regular-season match tonight against Waldron before sectional play next week.
