FORTVILLE — On Thursday night, an opposing coach call the Mt. Vernon Marauders a team of destiny.
The defending sectional champion Marauders lived up those words the next day.
Building upon their already historic season, the Mt. Vernon boys tennis team claimed their 20th victory on Friday night, but more importantly, they achieved their season-long goal.
The Marauders (20-1) defeated county rival Eastern Hancock 4-1 during the Mt. Vernon Sectional finals to complete their 2020 repeat tour.
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"It’s always the most difficult thing in sports. Once you’ve won a title, to come back the next year with some of the same guys and some different guys, and to be able to come back again and get it, it’s a testament to them," Mt. Vernon head coach Gabe Muterspaugh said. "From Day 1, we went after it. It’s the hardest thing to do, and they accomplished it."
In a nutshell, the Marauders’ 2020 season went from maybe to no doubt over the course of three months.
With questions surrounding the likelihood of even having a season this past July as the COVID-19 pandemic raised serious concerns, the Marauders approached this fall with a mindset to win at every opportunity.
They maintained that focus en route to the program’s second straight sectional championship run and 13th overall. The repeat marked the Marauders’ fifth in program history and third in Muterspaugh’s 26-year tenure.
"It’s hard to put in words because you didn’t know if you were going to have a season, and I love these guys. You can’t help but get emotional. It’s why you do it," Muterspaugh said. "This is pretty cool."
The Marauders reached the sectional finals by ousting top-rival Greenfield-Central 4-1 in the semifinals on Thursday. Earlier this season, they won their second straight Hancock County team title and nearly completed the trifecta as Hoosier Heritage Conference runner-ups.
In 21 matches, the Marauders have won 19 by margins of four or better, and they kept the trend going against Eastern Hancock, which upended Pendleton Heights 3-2 in the semifinals on Thursday.
The Royals (11-5) lone point against Mt. Vernon came at No. 1 singles where senior Kodey Huff outlasted senior Haiden Rose 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to advance in the IHSAA state tournament series as an individual.
Despite the loss, Huff felt the team made a statement after finishing fourth at the county tournament last month.
"It hasn’t happened in like 20 years (reaching the sectional finals), so it’s a big step," Huff said. "I wanted this one a ton for the guys. This feels amazing.
"I’m going to do what I’ve done all year and focus on that, play point by point from here. I’m very grateful to even have a season."
The Marauders merely wanted a chance to prove 2019 was no fluke.
They quieted the critics by setting a new single-season record for wins and pushing powerhouse Delta to the brink in the regular-season finale, 3-2, on Tuesday before suffering their only lose on the season to settle the HHC title.
"What a season, and we’re not done yet," Muterspaugh said. "We try to keep our humble pie going, but it’s hard at times for us when we have success. But, these guys had a bull’s eye on their back from the time they won sectional last year to now.
"We got everyone’s best shot every night. Except for one, little hiccup, we took them all. That’s awesome for these guys. The best ever at Mt. Vernon."
Chris Hays and Joe Bowsher, both seniors, capitalized for the Marauders, winning their singles matches at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively in straight sets.
Hays defeated Zeke Dixon 6-1, 5-2, while Bowsher won 6-4, 6-5 over Nolan Stout. At No. 1 doubles, Dallas Turner and Owen Koon rolled 6-3, 6-0 to beat Bryce Wennen and Wyatt Sutton.
The Marauders’ fourth point came at No. 2 doubles as Logan LeRoy and Andrew Jones won 6-1, 6-0 over Nate Cape and Peyton Stephens.
"This is top to bottom the best team I’ve ever had," Muterspaugh said.
This season, Bowsher has only endured three losses, Turner and Koon had two on the year, while LeRoy and Jones have just two on their record.
The Marauders are eyeing a few more Ws on Tuesday at the North Central Regional in the semifinals where they will face Lawrence North, which Mt. Vernon defeated 3-2 during the regular season on Sept. 10.
"For us to repeat, it’s awesome, especially with a full senior lineup," Rose said. "I cannot wait to play (Lawrence North). We beat them already, and they’re a great team, but it will be the first in history for Mt. Vernon to go past round one of regional. We want to win."
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Mt. Vernon Tennis Sectional
Championship Match Results
Mt. Vernon 4, Eastern Hancock 1
No. 1 Singles: Kodey Huff, EH def. Haiden Rose, MV 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
No. 2 Singles: Chris Hays, MV def. Zeke Dixon, EH 6-1, 6-2
No. 3 Singles: Joe Bowsher, MV def. Nolan Stout, EH 6-3, 6-5
No. 1 Doubles: Dallas Turner/Owen Koon, MV def. Bryce Wennen/Wyatt Sutton, EH 6-3, 6-0
No. 2 Doubles: Logan LeRoy/Andrew Jones, MV def. Cole Bubenzer/Mark Nielsen, EH 6-1, 6-0
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