GREENFIELD — The Greenfield-Central boys soccer team battled back during its season opener this past weekend, but the visiting Lawrence North Wildcats escaped with the victory.
The host Cougars dropped their first match of the season, 2-1, on Saturday with all three goals finding the back of the net in the first half.
Lawrence North struck first with a goal in the opening minute of the match before the Cougars’ offense responded in the second minute.
A goal by Cougars’ Bryce Kinnaman tied the match 1-1 before the Wildcats reclaimed the lead in the 13th minute with another goal.
Lawrence North’s advantage held throughout the reminder of the first half and the entirety of the second despite a strong defensive effort by G-C’s Garrett Hollis.
Cougars’ goalkeeper Jordin Jones recorded six saves.
“Not the best start to our season, but things are improving,” G-C head coach Bobby Holden commented. “We need to continue to fix defensive areas. I’m confident we can find our rhythm and play with more heart as we get deeper into the season.”
Boys Tennis
Royals win two in a row
The Eastern Hancock boys tennis team kicked off the 2021 season with a pair of victories this week.
The Royals defeated host Randolph Southern, 5-0, on Monday and replicated the feat on Tuesday at home against visiting Southwestern, 5-0.
In both matches, No. 1 singles player, Zeke Dixon led the way, winning 6-1, 6-1 against Randolph Southern. The junior team leader only needed two sets against Southwestern, prevailing 6-3, 6-2 to improve to 2-0 on the year.
The Royals return to the courts on Tuesday at home against Rushville at 5 p.m.
Volleyball
Mt. Vernon rallies back against Cathedral
The Mt. Vernon volleyball team packed the house at home on Monday night, and the host Marauders treated their fans to a 3-2 win over state-ranked Cathedral.
The Marauders outlasted the visiting Fighting Irish through a two-hour, 40-minute battle, taking the first game 25-14 before falling behind 2-1 as Cathedral won the second and third 25-19, 25-20, respectively.
The Marauders charged back to win the fourth, 25-20, and the decisive fifth, 15-10.
Rylee Ugen racked up 50 assists, 18 digs and four block assists on the night for Mt. Vernon. Cecilia Bulmahn pulled off the double-double with 23 kills and 29 digs.
Abby Herman and Delaney Bowser each had 16 digs, and Libby Gee Weiler tallied 15 in the win.
Sophie Damer had a breakout night in both kills and blocks. She finished with six blocks.
Royals win third straight
The Eastern Hancock volleyball team picked up its third consecutive victory, defeating host North Decatur 3-1 on Monday night.
The visiting Royals trailed 1-0 after dropping the first game, 23-25, but they rallied back to win the next three games, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20.
The Royals are now 3-1 on the season.
Sydni Bednarski posted 12 kills while Lili Hunt led the team with 13 overall. Alivia Coffin finished with eight kills.
Ruby White had two aces, three total blocks and five kills. Bednarski had a double-double with 11 digs. Hunt joined her with 12 digs.
Megan Retherford recorded 15 digs, while Brookly Willis finished with 11. Sydney Hayes dished out 31 assists.
“It was a hard fought battle by both teams, but the Royals prevailed in the end. It was a team effort, energized by Alvia Coffin,” Royals head coach Cory Rainbolt said. “Even with 16 service errors, the Royals were able to pull off a victory.”
Dragons improve to 2-0
The New Palestine volleyball team posted a 25-15, 20-25, 25-14, 25-9 victory over Connersville. Monday’s win over the host Spartans, 3-1, improved the Dragons’ record to 2-0.
Reagan Kleiman led the Dragons with 19 kills, 11 aces and five blocks. Lauren Wilson added 15 kills and 12 digs. Grace Myers and McKaylah Flagle had 15 digs each.
The Dragons are next in action Thursday at Guerin Catholic.
Cougars fall to Scecina
The Greenfield-Central volleyball team fell to Scecina Memorial in four close sets, 3-1, to open the season on Monday.
G-C sophomore libero Finnley Greene had 20 digs, senior setter Morgan Hornaday had 35 assists and sophomore outside hitter Mya Grigsby had 20 kills.
Scecina went up 1-0 with a 25-23 win in the first game before the host Cougars tied it up 1-1 with a 25-21 rally in the second. Scecina won the final two games 25-23, 25-21.
The Cougars face Westfield at home tonight.
Girls Soccer
Dragons shut out Falcons
The New Palestine girls soccer team opened its season Monday with an 8-0 victory over Perry Meridian.
The Dragons raced to a 4-0 lead at halftime, then added four more goals in the second half.
Freshman Tylar Whitaker scored two goals and added two assists in her varsity debut. Anna Luker, last year’s top scorer, had two goals and an assist. Mackenzie Davis also tallied two goals and an assist. Bethany Aldridge and Vivian Miller each also scored goals. Izzie Myers had an assist.
Girls Golf
Cougars ground Hornets
The Greenfield-Central girls golf team picked up a victory on Monday over Beech Grove.
The Cougars shot a 190 compared to Beech Grove’s incomplete score. Sydney Wherry led the Cougars with a 41. Katie Curry added a 44. Brynn Elliott carded a 51 and Ella Neill fired a 54.
Last week, the Cougars defeated both Rushville and Triton Central in a tri-match with a team score of 198.
Rushville was second at 226 and Triton Central was third with an incomplete score.
Wherry paced the Cougars with a 41. Abby Mulligan carded a 47.
During the Lapel Invitational earlier this month, the Cougars placed 12th overall with a team score of 376. Hamilton Southeastern won the event with a 301. Noblesville was second at 314. Lapel was third at 329.
Wherry led the Cougars with an 82 during the 18-hole event. Curry and Elliott had an 87 and 98, respectively. Neill finished with a 109.
Dragons sink Whiteland
The New Palestine golf team posted a 210-225 victory Monday at Whiteland.
Zoe Nelson was match medalist with a 46. Kate Stanfield shot 53, Hanna Beller 55 and Lauren Appleby 56. Lily Kirchner added a 62 and Ava Hasecuster a 64 as the extra scores.
The Dragons are back in action Thursday at Southern Dunes against Southport.
