INDIANAPOLIS
For Center Grove junior Grant Herron, it was an excellent start in quest of a state doubles title.
“We had a lot of energy,” Herron said. “We put a lot of balls away. We ended a lot of points early. Everything was working well. We both played really well.”
The Trojans’ duo of Herron and senior Nic Ballesteros advanced by beating Warsaw’s senior duo of Spencer Britton and Nolan Knight 6-1, 6-2 Friday in the quarterfinals of the state doubles tournament at Park Tudor.
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The Center Grove tennis partners, who improved their record to 23-5, will meet Leo seniors Isaac Steiner and Eli Herran (17-0) in a 10 a.m. semifinal today at Park Tudor. The championship is set for 2 p.m.
Ballesteros said their play was sharp most of the way.
“This is the best we’ve played all week,” Ballesteros said. “There was a drop in energy after the first set, but we quickly got it back.”
Center Grove had lost a 3-2 decision to Floyd Central in state team quarterfinals last week.
“Our friends helped us all week and I’m really happy to have them support us as well,” Ballesteros said.
Herron said it was a long week of practice.
“We were happy to get out here and play to the best of our capabilities,” Herron said.
Center Grove coach Ivan Smith was impressed by the Leo team’s play in a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Columbus North’s Adam Saad and Nathan Lin.
“They’re probably the best team in the tournament,” Smith said. “We’ll have our work cut out for us.”
Steiner was playing No. 1 singles and Herran No 2 singles for Leo before their coach decided to put them together at No. 1 doubles in the middle of the season. Steiner and Herran had played doubles together through the years in junior tournaments.
Herran said before the high school season began, the Leo teammates had won a doubles tournament together.
“We started learning more about each other games,” Herran said. “He’s a lefty and I’m a righty, so that works really well together. Our serves are good and it all mixes well.”
Center Grove’s Herron understands the mission.
“We know they’re pretty good and we have to come out and play our best,” Herron said.
