Franklin’s Meleah Murphy returns a backhand during Thursday’s sectional final against Whiteland.
Chris Williams | For the Daily Journal
It didn’t matter that unbeaten Franklin played two matches in one day. The Grizzly Cubs did what they came to do.
Win another sectional title.
After the championship match was moved up a day because of the potential of inclement weather, sixth-ranked Franklin defeated a surprising Whiteland squad 5-0 to win their third straight sectional championship on Thursday evening at Center Grove.
Next up for the Grizzly Cubs is a regional semifinal next Tuesday against either Connersville or Rushville.
“They have been amazing with Mid-State Conference championships and sectional titles,” Franklin coach Rusty Hughes said. “They have done a lot of things and have had a really good run, plus they are good teammates to each other and are academically strong.
“It’s a good group of kids.”
Franklin (23-0), which is looking to at least repeat last year’s state semifinal appearance, cruised in its singles play. The No. 1 player, senior Rylie Wilkison, won 6-1, 6-1 over Warrior senior Candace Stephenson, while No. 2 and 3 players Marnie Moore and Chelsie Rayl recorded 6-0, 6-0 victories.
The Grizzly Cubs’ No. 1 doubles team of junior Kate Pinnick and senior Kennedy Urban had the toughest match, but still outlasted the Whiteland senior duo of Cathy Nguyen and Kinsey Shipp 6-2, 6-4. Franklin’s No. 2 team of junior Meleah Murphy and senior Emma Sappenfield won 6-0, 6-0.
The Cubs, who have a sparkling 50-1 record over the last two seasons, have a very good chance to return to state if they play well, according to Hughes.
“It’s possible. It’s on our racquet,” he said. “We have four amazing seniors.”
Whiteland finished its season with an even 12-12 mark but was undoubtedly one of the most improved teams towards the end after starting the season 0-6.
“It’s a good group of girls,” Whiteland coach Mike Gillespie said. “We had 12 seniors and great leadership. The girls kept working and working, and they didn’t let their record dictate their work ethic. All you want is a chance, and Franklin is really good.”
Gillespie will have a lot of positions to fill, but he says he is looking forward to the challenge of a youth movement next year.
Franklin had a tough path to the finals, starting with a first-round match against host Center Grove Wednesday, but the Cubs knew to get their hat trick of sectional titles would mean going against the Trojans at some point; might as well beat them sooner than later.
“Center Grove is awesome. A great team,” Hughes said. “They helped prepare us. It’s a good rivalry.”
Franklin started off its Thursday by defeating Indian Creek 5-0 in one semifinal, winning four of the five matches in 6-0, 6-0 fashion. Pinnick and Urban had to do a little extra work to beat the Braves’ first doubles team of Lexi Sichting and Lanie Swanson, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).
Whiteland topped Greenwood, 4-1, in the other semi. Nguyen and Shipp picked up one doubles point for the Warriors, while Karley Hoagland and Namjeet Kaur earned the other. Candace Stephenson and Rowen Starns were victorious in the top two singles spots, with Starns needing a third set to get past Brooklyn Hanson. Maggie Boyce got the Woodmen’s lone point with a win at third singles.
