DAILY JOURNAL SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The Center Grove girls tennis team advanced to the championship match of the Johnson County Tournament with a 5-0 semifinal win Monday against visiting Indian Creek.
The Trojans will play Greenwood, a 4-1 winner in Monday’s other semifinal, in the title match. A date for the final has not been determined.
Having already played four opponents ranked in the top 20, including No. 1 Carmel, No. 2 North Central, No. 11 Jasper and No. 20 Fort Wayne Canterbury, the Trojans — who travel to No. 5 Park Tudor today — are confident they are moving in the right competitive direction.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
“It’s a good place to be in,” coach Debby Burton said. “We are continually focused on the growth, not necessarily on the results, and looking to see how we can get better as the season goes on. We just spend a lot of time focusing on the positives.
“We’re setting appropriate goals in our matches. When we walk on the courts against, let’s say a Carmel team, we’re not necessarily supposed to win, so what are our goals? Reduce unforced errors, trying new shots, making them battle for points — all the things that will make us better.”
The Trojans were sharp Monday in sweeping the Braves.
At No. 1 singles, freshman Isabella Schoolcraft needed only 40 minutes to dispatch Indian Creek junior Candace Danz 6-0, 6-0.
“It’s been a lot of pressure playing No. 1 singles, but the whole team and the coaches have been so supportive,” Schoolcraft said. “I just have to go out there and play my hardest. The whole team experience is great.”
At No. 2 singles, Center Grove sophomore Katelyn Gray defeated Braves senior Ally Smith 6-0, 6-0.
And at No. 3 singles, Trojans sophomore Maddie Weeks beat freshman Lacey Tekulve 6-0, 6-0.
At No. 1 doubles, Center Grove junior Madison Smeathers and sophomore Bailey Sammons defeated senior Katie Huter and Baylee Wilson 6-0, 7-5.
And at No. 2 doubles, Trojans senior Katie Parker and freshman Emily Hoy got by Indian Creek senior Raven Danz and sophomore McKayla Russell 6-0, 6-1.
With the win, Center Grove improved its record to 2-5, while Indian Creek fell to 3-2.
