INDIANAPOLIS — The challenge was daunting for the Mt. Vernon boys tennis team on Wednesday night.
Pitted against the third-ranked North Central Panthers, the Marauders battled but were unable to extend their historic season, falling 5-0 during the IHSAA team tennis regional finals at The Barbara S. Wynne Tennis Center at North Central High School.
The Marauders’ season came to a close, but they had a 2020 that won’t soon be forgotten.
Mt. Vernon set a new program record for wins in a single season at 21-2 overall. The Marauders’ two losses came against Hoosier Heritage Conference champion Delta and North Central, which has finished state runner-up the past two seasons.
The Panthers have won 35 regional titles in program history, including 10 consecutive after Wednesday.
The Marauders ran through the 2020 season at 18-0 before losing their regular-season finale to Delta. In the process, they repeated as Hancock County champions.
Mt. Vernon won two matches at its own sectional to repeat for a fifth time in program history. The sectional title marked the 13th all time for the program.
On Tuesday, the Marauders defeated Lawrence North 3-2 to claim the team’s first-ever regional match victory.
It was the second time in seven years a team from Hancock County had achieved the feat. The last boys team to reach the regional finals was New Palestine in 2014.
Eastern Hancock’s Kodey Huff, who was competing in the individual portion of the IHSAA sectional tournament, also lost on Wednesday at North Central.
Huff fell to Noblesville’s Nate Bushong in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1.
Volleyball
Dragons outlasts Shelbyville
The New Palestine volleyball team outlasted Shelbyville 25-13, 22-25, 25-16, 18-25, 15-11 in a thrilling five-set match Tuesday.
The Dragons’ victory in their home finale improved the team’s record to 22-6 with two regular-season matches remaining.
Jesi Hall led the offense with 19 kills, three blocks and two aces. Grace Myers tallied 31 digs. Sarah Adam had a double-double with 41 assists and 13 digs, as well as two aces.
Kaelyn Armstrong also had a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs. Liv Ellis had 13 kills and three blocks. Reagan Kleiman added eight kills, Rachel Popp seven kills and Trinity Oertel nine digs.
“It was a very exciting match with both teams battling until the end,” Dragons coach Kelli Gabehart said. “The momentum shifted each set and I’m really proud of our fight and resiliency in the fifth set. Grace had an incredible night in the back row and Jesi was impressive at the net again.”
The Dragons were back in action Wednesday at Lapel and travel to rival Mt. Vernon tonight.
Cougars fall to Royals
The Greenfield-Central volleyball team fell in three sets on Tuesday to Hamilton Southeastern, the No. 2 team in the country, according to MaxPreps.
The Cougars fought hard but were not able to overcome the top-ranked Class 4A Royals, 25-16, 25-18, 25-21.
During the match, senior outside hitter Ava Antic recorded 18 digs, which elevated her to 1,000 in her career. This season, Antic has reached a career double-double with 1,000 digs and kills.
The Cougars are back in action tonight at Delta.
