The Carmel girls tennis team opened its season with a 3-2 victory over Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, the No. 2-ranked team in Kentucky. on Thursday.
The Greyhounds, No. 2 in Indiana and the defending state champions, got three straight set wins to clinch the meet. Senior Franny Werner won at No. 3 singles 6-1, 6-0, and the doubles teams of No. 1 freshman Lauren Littell and sophomore Leila Antony and No. 2, senior Selena Liu and sophomore Katelyn Conley, also won easily.
Carmel will next play Saturday morning at No. 9 Center Grove.
Carmel 3, Sacred Heart 2
No. 1 singles: Apurva Manis lost to Beckman 6-2, 6-1
No. 2 singles: Emma Brune lost to Eades 6-1, 6-0
No. 3 singles: Franny Werner def. Lott 6-1, 6-0
No. 1 doubles: Lauren Littell and Leila Antony def. Rueff and Chou 6-3, 6-0
No. 2 doubles: Selena Liu and Katelyn Conley def. Wagner and Elliott 6-1, 6-1
Fifth-ranked Hamilton Southeastern dropped a 4-1 match to No. 1 Cathedral Thursday.
The Royals got their win from No. 1 doubles, as senior Jeorgia Templin and junior Taylor Cleary took that match in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.
“They did a nice job of stepping up and closing out both sets when the pressure was on,” said Southeastern coach Kirk Webber.
At No. 2 doubles, junior Nikki Hite and freshman Misha Bukkasagaram stretched their opponents to three sets before falling 6-4 in the third set. The Irish won all the singles matches in straight sets.
The Royals will play Monday at North Central.
Cathedral 4, Hamilton Southeastern 1
No. 1 singles: Audrey De Witt lost to Pittman 6-1, 6-0
No. 2 singles: Adalyn De Witt lost to Coleman 6-3, 6-0
No. 3 singles: Kaylee Etheredge lost to Koscielski 6-0, 6-0
No. 1 doubles: Jeorgia Templin and Taylor Cleary def. Spau and Montefalco 7-5, 6-3
No. 2 doubles: Nikki Hite and Misha Bukkasagaram lost to Kronenberger and Peduto 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4
Hamilton Heights split its first two dual meets of the season this week.
After an opening 5-0 loss to Taylor on Wednesday, the Huskies bounced back with a 3-2 win at Maconaquah on Thursday. No. 1 singles Addi Gordon won 6-4, 6-3, No. 3 singles Brooke Sears was a 6-4, 6-1 winner and the No. 2 doubles team of Cortney Martin and Maddie Nickel was victorious 6-3, 6-3.
“The girls keep improving daily, we have made some huge strides since we started practice,” said Heights coach Wayne Rupe.
The Huskies are 1-1 and will play at Lewis Cass on Saturday.
Audrey De Witt is playing No. 1 singles this season for the Hamilton Southeastern girls tennis team. (Richie Hall)