FORTVILLE — With a packed schedule awaiting them in the month of May, the Mt. Vernon girls tennis team isn’t wasting time in rumination.
After narrowly losing, 3-2, to Hoosier Heritage Conference rival Delta on Tuesday, the Marauders quickly turned the page two days later, sweeping another conference foe Yorktown, 5-0, at home.
“There was definitely a competitive spirit in a majority of us coming out here playing Yorktown,” Mt. Vernon senior Lexi Shelton said after Thursday’s win. “They’re a great team, but I think we added a little extra effort and passion today because of that loss at Delta.”
At home against the Delta Eagles two days prior, the Marauders entered the match a perfect 7-0 in a battle between two undefeated programs.
Mt. Vernon almost made it 8-0, winning at No. 1 singles with senior Lydia Ruegsegger prevailing 6-1, 6-1, and the No. 2 doubles tandem of Maddie Swingle and Anna Isger handing Delta’s duo its first loss of the season, 6-2, 6-4.
The ninth-ranked Eagles found a way, though, dropping the Marauders to 7-1 on the season and 1-1 in the HHC.
Against, Yorktown, the Marauders (8-1, 4-1 HHC) got back on track.
“We were much more focused, but at the same time still relaxed,” Ruegsegger said. “What (coach) Gabe (Muterspaugh) does a great job with is reminding us that even when we lose one, we have to move on. Get it done and get our act together, pretty much.
“Delta was good. Credit to them, but coming back out we were more of the mind of wanting to win.”
Ruegsegger made certain of it, cruising to a 12-0 record behind an easy 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 1 singles against Yorktown’s Sasha Academia. Ruegsegger defeated Gwen Clark in her match with Delta.
“I feel locked in. It feels really great. For me, just keeping it rolling makes winning a little bit easier,” Ruegsegger said. “I feel like it’s a constant rolling ball, which is good.”
A lifelong tennis player, Ruegsegger’s love for the game stems from her father, David, and continued as her older sisters, Hannah and Clara, both competed for the Marauders and Muterspaugh before playing in college.
Ruegsegger is committed to Grace College where she will continue her tennis career, but until then, she’s making up for last year’s lost season and now has 47 wins in three years.
“Lydia is our true leader on this team, and she makes it fun. She makes it worth being here every night. Lydia is someone you look to as a leader,” Shelton said. “She’s who we all strive to be like. We listen to Lydia, and you’re kind of dumb not to, in my opinion, because she’s great. A great person and a great teammate.”
The Marauders routinely try to mirror her actions as well, elevating their play as Ruegsegger, a two-time all-state honorable mention selection, does each match.
Carly Wilkerson followed suit at No. 2 singles, winning 6-0, 6-0. Hannah Smith won at No. 3 singles, 6-0, 6-3, and the No. 1 doubles team of Shelton and Ceci Bulmahn posted a 6-2, 6-1 victory.
Swingle and Isger worked fast to win 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 doubles.
“We pride ourselves on getting better throughout the year, and we are. We’re starting to see it. We’re starting to get there, ramping up towards the next three weeks,” Muterspaugh said. “Are we happy, of course not, but that’s Mt. Vernon. Always trying to be better.”
They will get their chances in bunches as the calendar flips to May.
The Marauders travel to Centerville today before heading to Warren Central on Wednesday.
On Monday, May 10, they have a home match against county foe New Palestine, which is 3-0 in the HHC after beat Greenfield-Central earlier this week.
They host HHC opponent New Castle on Wednesday, May 12 and then see fifth-ranked Hamilton Southeastern on the road Thursday, May 13.
“The hardest part about getting into May is that it’s match play, all week, most of the time. We haven’t had a practice this week, and we won’t have one so you kind of have to use matches as your practice field sometimes,” Shelton said.
“It’s hard because obviously Gabe and (assistant coach) Graham (McMullen) can’t be on your court all the time, so it’s a lot of individual coaching at that point and disciplining yourself.”
Their work ethic and commitment led to a 3-2 win over District 4 rival Alexandria on Monday. Alexandria is ranked fourth in the district with Mt. Vernon second and Delta first overall.
Not that the defending Hancock County champion Marauders pay attention to those things. Not with their sights set on a potential seventh straight sectional title to be captured this spring.
“We always try to make sure our girls understand that no matter who it is, we’re going to go out there to try to destroy them,” Muterspaugh said. “We always make the joke that whatever team we’re playing, we hate that team. We hate that team, for that night. It’s always the next match. It doesn’t matter who the school is, it’s we take care of our business.”
