INDIANAPOLIS
The difference for the Franklin girls tennis team came before the high school season even started.
“Practicing in the offseason really helped me — and the whole team, actually,” sophomore Rylie Wilkison said.
Wilkison and the rest of her Franklin teammates dominated again with a 5-0 regional championship victory over Triton Central Wednesday at UIndy Tennis Center. The match was moved from Center Grove’s courts because of rain.
The No. 11 Grizzly Cubs (21-0) advance to the semistate at Center Grove for the first time since 2009.
“We have really good depth and they just do a good job of supporting each other,” said Franklin coach Rusty Hughes, in his 35th year as tennis coach.
It’s the fourth regional title in the program’s history.
Wilkison sets the tone at No. 1 singles.
“I improved everything, honestly, both mentally and physically,” Wilkison said of this season.
As a freshman, Wilkison was 17-6 at No. 1 singles. She is unbeaten this season, and she didn’t drop a game against Julia Sanders.
“I thought we had the talent (to reach the semistate),” Wilkison said. “It just going out there and playing each match individually.”
The No. 1 doubles team of senior Haley Haldeman and junior Ailyn Hendricks remained unbeaten in the postseason, beating Triton Central’s Kelsey McGuire and Alyssa Wheatley 6-0, 6-2.
They are playing together for the first time this season, but played together in the offseason.
“We were good friends last year during the season,” Haldeman said. “She played singles last year and she wanted to play doubles, and I needed a doubles partner.”
Hendricks said the partners mesh well together.
“We know where each other is going on the court,” Hendricks said. “We have a natural connection.”
Haldeman learned after the match that she had been named to the all-state team.
“Now her picture will be up at the school forever,” Hughes said.
Haldeman is Franklin’s only senior in the starting lineup. In contrast, Triton Central had an all-senior starting lineup.
Grizzly Cub sophomore Chelsie Rayl beat Emma Hutchinson 6-3, 6-0 at No. 2 singles. Junior Emma Williams didn’t drop a game in her victory over Leila Chougule at No. 3 singles.
Franklin rotates its No. 2 doubles team each match, and it was freshmen Kate Pinnick and Meleah Murphy’s turn against the Tigers. Pinnick and Murphy topped Sarah Williams and Olivia Martin 6-0, 6-1 to remain unbeaten.
The partners agreed that playing aggressive at the net is their strength.
Sophomores Emma Sappenfield and Kennedy Urban form the other No. 2 doubles team.
“We’re super deep,” Pinnick said. “I think anyone can play in any position.”
