Franklin’s Marnie Moore hits a return during Wednesday’s sectional match at Center Grove.
Chris Williams | For the Daily Journal
The two-plus hours of competition offered up a championship match feel, but reality said otherwise.
Due to the randomness of the tournament draw, sixth-ranked Franklin and No. 14 Center Grove were bracketed together in the opening round of sectional on the latter’s courts Wednesday afternoon.
The Grizzly Cubs took care of business, 4-1, to advance to a Thursday’s semifinal against Indian Creek. Also on Wednesday, Greenwood blanked Greenwood Christian, 5-0, for the right to face Whiteland in the other semi.
It was the postseason debut for the Cougars, adding a pinch of historical significance to the proceedings.
As for the Franklin-Center Grove rivalry, it’s one that has long been built on mutual respect. The Cubs handed the Trojans a 5-0 loss during the regular season.
“I think playing Center Grove one time is intimidating enough,” said Franklin’s Marnie Moore, who won her No. 2 singles match over CG’s Val Arriz, 6-0, 6-0. “They have a mentality that’s always fierce, so we always know we have to come in prepared for that. It’s tough.
“I played Sloane (Small) the last time, but today I just wanted to keep the ball deep and keep it in, and be loud for my teammates.”
The Grizzly Cubs’ other singles points were from Rylie Wilkison, a 6-2, 6-1 winner over Small at No. 1, and senior Chelsie Rayl defeating Emerson Donaldson at No. 3, 6-3, 6-4. Franklin’s second doubles combo of Maleah Murphy and Emma Sappenfield rallied for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 defeat of Anna Runkle and Kenna Harbin.
Center Grove’s No. 1 doubles duo of Ava Beecher and Lauren Dick will continue its season after downing the Cubs’ Kate Pinnick and Kennedy Urban, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.
Franklin finds itself in prime position to notch its third consecutive sectional title and ninth overall. Getting past the Trojans was a large stride in the right direction.
“(Center Grove) is such a good program. It’s really hard to play them,” Grizzly Cubs’ coach Rusty Hughes said. “To beat them once is hard enough. We have never, ever taken them for granted, and never will.
“Today, I was proud of the whole team. Even No. 1 doubles where we lost, they played hard, and it came down to the tiebreaker. Just missing a couple of shots. Whoever wins the first set plays a little looser in the second set, which Center Grove did. Kudos to them. I hope they go on and win the state in doubles. They’re really good.”
Greenwood won three of its five matches by 6-0, 6-0 scores, including Maggie Boyce over Brooke Potter at No. 1 singles. Both Woodmen doubles pairings — Mia Shaffer and Savannah McCauley at No. 1 and Gracie Gasaway and Moriah Ellington in the second spot — were equally as dominant.
At No. 2 singles, Greenwood’s Brooklyn Hanson defeated GCA’s Anna Blow, 6-1, 6-0. Martha Boyce won over the Cougars’ Izzy Snell at No. 3, 6-0, 6-2.
“I think we’re excited to go to the next round. We’re going to see Whiteland again that we did lose to earlier in the season, 5-0,” Greenwood coach Maecee Terhune said. “But we had some close matches, and there’s definitely a chance that we can have an upset.
“Overall, we’ve had a really good season. We have two freshmen, one sophomore and four seniors in the lineup. Our freshmen that we had come in are very talented and have made a very big impact on our team this year.”
