The Mt. Vernon Marauders pushed their winning streak to two straight with a 3-0 sweep of rival Pendleton Heights on Thursday night.
Mt. Vernon defeated Hamilton Heights 3-0 on Saturday after narrowly losing to Heritage Christian 3-2 last week on Aug. 20 for its first loss of the season.
With Thursday’s victory, the Marauders improved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the Hoosier Heritage Conference.
Mt. Vernon opened its match against Pendleton Heights with a 28-26 first-set win, followed by a 25-16 victory in the second and a hard-fought 29-27 finale in the third.
Senior Claire Ertel saw her first action of the season against the Arabians and provided 16 digs, 15 kills and two aces for the Marauders.
Mt. Vernon’s Cecilia Bulmahn supplied 17 kills and 12 digs, while Rylee Ugen set the table with 12 assists per set for 36 on the night.
Abby Herman had 13 digs, Delaney Bowser had 14 and Ugen added nine.
Cougars power past Royals
The Greenfield-Central Cougars won their third straight on Thursday night, sweeping past county foe Eastern Hancock 3-0 at home.
The Cougars improved to 5-1 on the season following their home-opening victory 25-9, 25-12, 25-7.
The Cougars jumped out to a quick start thanks to senior setter Ali Knecht’s aggressive serves. Senior outside hitter Ava Antic led the team in kills with 12, and Brooke Herrell followed closely behind with 11.
“I am very pleased with the way we played against Eastern tonight,” Cougars head coach Ron Heck said. “This was our third game in a row in the past three days, and I was concerned about a physical and mental lapse tonight. We really challenged the team to be mentally tough tonight and they were able to rise to the occasion. I was also very happy with our aggressive serving.”
Girls Soccer
Dragons remain unbeaten
The New Palestine girls soccer team kept its streak going Thursday, winning its conference opener 10-0 at New Castle.
The Dragons are now 4-0 on the season and have outscored their opponents 29-0.
Abby Blachly had a big night for the Dragons, scoring four goals. Addie Halter and Anna Luker scored two each. Lexi Baynes had a goal and three assists. Allie Blum also scored her first career-varsity goal.
Moriah Corey had three assists. Cate Black, Emmy Giddens, Izzie Myers and Koryn Marshall also had assists.
The Dragon defense was strong, not allowing a shot on goal. Whitney Miller and Grace Hasenkamp combined for the shutout.
Cougars fall to Tigers
The Greenfield-Central Cougars battled on Thursday night, but the Yorktown Tigers slipped away to win 5-2.
The Cougars kept the margin close 2-1 with the HHC-rival Tigers after the first half and scored another goal in the second, but host Yorktown answered with a three-goal second.
G-C’s goals were scored by Kelsi McLaughlin and Kayln Moss. The assists went to McLaughlin and Sarah Contrarez.
Boys Soccer
Orioles blank Marauders
The Mt. Vernon Marauders traveled to Avon on Thursday for a non-conference match-up but struggled to find their offense.
Avon opened the first half with a pair of goals and added two more in the second to win 4-0.
Dragons fall to Franklin Central
The New Palestine boys soccer team trekked to Franklin Central on Thursday.
Despite a strong effort, the Dragons fell behind, while the Flashes got on the board first to win 4-0.
Boys Tennis
Dragons topple Raiders
The New Palestine boys tennis team swept the doubles Thursday to key a 3-2 victory over Shenandoah.
Clayton Wesley/Will Au won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles, while Jackson Havel/Devon Bird won 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 to give the Dragons two quick victories.
Ezra Schwier clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-3 victory at No. 1 singles.
At No. 2, Caleb Davis dropped a close 7-5, 6-4 match. Zach Au fell 6-2, 6-0 at No. 3.
Marauders remain perfect
The Mt. Vernon Marauders got some revenge on Thursday night.
Losing to Centerville last year during the regular season, the Marauders turned the tables at home in 2020, winning 4-1 at the “Marauders Dome.”
Chris Hays won at No. 2 singles in two sets, 6-1, 6-0. Joe Bowsher followed suit at No. 3 singles with a 6-2, 6-2 victory.
The tandem of Dallas Turner and Owen Koon rolled at No. 1 doubles, 6-2, 6-1. Logan LeRoy and Andrew Jones wasted no time at No. 2 doubles, winning 6-2, 6-0.
The Marauders are now 7-0 on the season and host Anderson on Wednesday.
