FORTVILLE — Even after a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mt. Vernon Marauders believed.
On Friday night, they proved it in decisive fashion.
The Marauders’ girls tennis team advanced all five spots into the championship round on their their home courts, and they claimed the Hancock County Tournament spotlight for a 10th consecutive year, winning four individual medals and the team title.
Greenfield-Central finished second in the team standings with 17 points and had one individual champion in sophomore Brianna McConnell at No. 2 singles.
The New Palestine Dragons were third overall with eight points and a third-place finish at No. 1 doubles in senior Lucy Miller and sophomore Mia Knoop.
Eastern Hancock was fourth overall with four points and two third-place competitors at No. 2 singles in freshman Savanah Hardin and at No. 3 singles in freshman Lexi Swauger.
The Marauders tallied 31 points with four champions and one runner-up at No. 2 singles in junior Carly Wilkerson.
Led by senior No. 1 singles player Lydia Ruegsegger, who improved to a flawless 9-0 on the season, the Marauders formed a celebratory line along the nets, and as is tradition, collectively jumped in unison to commemorate a decade of county dominance.
“It’s awesome. It’s really great. We got it my sophomore year, but I think it has an even bigger impact because of not having a year (in 2020) because of COVID,” Ruegsegger said. “Knowing we can still do it is just really empowering.”
Ruegsegger captured her second individual county title in her career after also winning a first-place medal previously at No. 2 singles.
In her final tour through the county tournament, she wasted little effort to overpower the field, winning her first-round match 6-0, 6-0 over Eastern Hancock before besting New Palestine junior Abby Blachly 6-1, 6-1.
“It’s pretty big. When you first say it, it almost doesn’t register, but then you think how it’s been 10 years. It’s a lot,” Ruegsegger said. “My sisters won it before me, and to continue that tradition is just just really awesome and it feels really good.”
Ruegsegger set the example for the defending champion Marauders, who gritted through a 3-2 win over Greenfield-Central the night prior to keep their momentum going this season.
“Her work ethic is such a great thing for our young kids to see because this is what it is. Tennis is a game of work. If you put in the work, the dividends will come, and she’s certainly has,” Mt. Vernon head coach Gabe Muterspaugh said. “We’re trying to get her all-state, and I think she’s well deserving of that. The path is there.”
McConnell was the only roadblock for the Marauders, beating junior Carly Wilkerson in the finals 4-6, 6-4, 10-6.
“Three girls into the finals, and for her to come through and get that was great. She’s actually, since I’ve been coaching, my first individual county champ. It’s a pretty big night for us,” Greenfield-Central head coach Michael Turpin said. “I feel good about that.”
The Marauders sealed the team title mathematically with wins in the championship round at No. 1 singles, No. 1 and No. 2 doubles.
The No. 1 doubles tandem of senior Lexi Shelton and junior Cici Bulmahn beat New Palestine in the opening round 6-2, 6-4, and advanced to the the title match, winning over Greenfield-Central senior Alissa Knecht and freshman Hallie Smith 6-2, 6-0.
At No. 2 doubles, senior Anna Isger and junior Maddie Swingle teamed to beat New Palestine senior Natalee Russell and sophomore Lily Haeberle 6-2, 6-0 in the finals after defeating Greenfield-Central senior Makayla Price and junior Leah Puckett 6-2, 6-0 in the first round.
The Marauders final individual title came at No. 3 singles as senior Hannah Smith bested Greenfield-Central sophomore Jaclyn Layton 6-3, 6-3. Smith, who switched with Wilkerson just before the county tournament started, won over New Palestine sophomore Courtney Johnson 6-3, 6-0 in the opening round to move on.
“It’s crazy to think about because that’s a lot of players coming through in 10 years. That’s a lot of hard work on their side. This isn’t work for (assistant coach Graham McMullen) and I. This is a passion, and we’re very blessed and appreciative of every day we get to come out here and do this,” Muterspaugh said.
“For the special bond that we have, it’s all the more fun. God has a sense of humor to put this old man with this young buck.”
In three short years, the two coaches have been an instant success in both the fall and spring.
The coaching odd couple has gone 46-5 overall instructing both the Marauders’ boys and girls programs with two team sectional titles collected and three county team titles seized with four all-state players named.
“We just have a lot of fun, and it’s an every day thing that we look forward to, coming out here and it’s a testament to our girls that they’ve bought in. When you get buy in, special things can happen,” Muterspaugh said. “It’s been very special for 10 years, and we don’t plan to quit now.”
Up next for the Marauders is a solid run through the Hoosier Heritage Conference and a potential shot at a seventh straight girls sectional championship.
“For the most part, we are N.O.D., nation of domination, and that’s what we want. That’s what culture is,” Muterspaugh said. “This is what I dreamed of 26 years ago (when I took over the program) was to build something like this in the place I grew up in.
“This is one of the goals you write down every single year, and you check this one off and you move on. It’s a short-lived celebration, and we’ll enjoy more of the journey after the journey this year, but his is check mark No. 1.”
