For the Daily Journal
Center Grove boys tennis coach Ivan Smith has won so many matches, including a pair of state titles, in his 40-plus years that he’s even forgotten how much his teams have won.
But he may be remembering Tuesday afternoon’s match in the first round of the Johnson County tournament. That’s because it took less than an hour for the fourth-ranked Trojans to dispatch Indian Creek, 5-0.
What made this match memorable was that every Trojan who took the court was perfect, with every match going 6-0, 6-0.
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After the match, Smith took a few moments to not only ponder the moment, but to recall if the Trojans have ever had such perfection.
“No, I don’t think so,” said Smith. “It doesn’t happen very often.”
Perhaps not, but it further emphasized how strong the Center Grove team is.
All three singles players — No. 1 Trey Thixton, No. 2 Mitch Runkle and No. 3 Mason Runkle — finished within minutes of each other.
It was a satisfying day, according to Mitch Runkle.
“We’re playing well as a team and have a lot of confidence,” he said. “I was happy with my play. I hit the ball cleanly and I didn’t feel tight at all, which is something I’ve struggled with this year.
“It was a nice and loose game.”
Center Grove now faces unbeaten Whiteland, which figures to offer more of a challenge.
“(Whiteland) will be a tougher match,” said Smith.
Today’s semifinals commence at 4:30 p.m. The other match will pit Greenwood against Franklin, which swept Edinburgh in a 5-0 first-round win of its own.
Josiah Rockey survived a three-set battle with Edinburgh’s Coltan Henderson at No. 1 singles, and the rest of the Grizzly Cubs won in straight sets. Nathan Tyler and Sam Auger claimed the other singles points, Adam Johnson and Jackson Klem won at No. 1 doubles and Jared Ross and Jon Ott took the point at No. 2.
Today’s semifinal winners play for the title Thursday at Center Grove.
