<p>Tied at two matches each, Whiteland junior Paityn Gossett overcame some first-set jitters to lift the Warriors to a 3-2 quarterfinal win against Indian Creek in Wednesday’s quarterfinal of the IHSAA Center Grove Girls Tennis Sectional.</p>
<p>Gossett defeated Braves freshman Katie Burkman 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 at No. 2 singles to secure the win for Whiteland.</p>
<p>With the win, Whiteland (7-10) advances to today’s semifinals against defending champion Center Grove (12-3).</p>
<p>Greenwood (9-2) will take on Franklin (9-7) in today’s other semifinal.</p>
<p>Gossett found herself down 5-1 in the first set but rallied with some key lobs and drop shots.</p>
<p>She finally caught her rhythm in the final set to outlast the effort of Burkman.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Whiteland’s No. 1 doubles team of juniors Danielle Patterson and Aveneet Badwal earned a 7-5, 6-4 win against the Braves duo of senior Baylee Wilson and junior Mckayla Russell.</p>
<p>“Confidence has been the key to our success all season,” Patterson said.</p>
<p>“If you lose your confidence you’re not going to play as well. Keep a smile on your face and keep going. You’ve got to play to win always.”</p>
<p>Badwal said communication is key.</p>
<p>“I’ve noticed if one of us is getting angry, the other has to stay calm, and I’m pretty good at doing that,” Badwal said.</p>
<p>“If you lose communication, it’s all going to go downhill.”</p>
<p>In the No. 2 doubles match, Whiteland sophomores Hannah Blum and Riley Burnside got by junior Sara Knight and sophomore Mya Piccione, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.</p>
<p>Indian Creek’s two victories came at singles.</p>
<p>At No, 1, senior Candace Danz defeated Whiteland freshman Reese Johnson 7-5, 7-5.</p>
<p>At No. 3, Braves senior Sydney Johnson beat senior Lucy Foster, 6-2, 6-1.</p>
<p>At the Columbus East sectional, Edinburgh (9-4) ended its season with a first-round loss to Columbus North 5-0.</p>
