The Carmel boys tennis team swept past No. 16 West Lafayette 5-0 to win the Kokomo regional on Wednesday.
The No. 1-ranked Greyhounds got victories in singles from No. 1 Presley Thienenman, No. 2 Srisanth Malpeddi and No. 3 Eli Mercer. Doubles wins came from No. 1 Jones McNamar and Uday Lomada and No. 2 Broc Fletcher and John Zirkelbach.
This was Carmel’s 10th consecutive regional championship and 17th overall. The Greyhounds will play in the Culver Academies semi-state at noon Saturday, taking on La Porte for a semi-state title and a return to the state meet.
Hamilton Southeastern played North Central in the regional final at the Panthers’ Barbara Wynne Tennis Center on Wednesday, with No. 5 North Central beating the No. 19 Royals 3-2.
The Panthers quickly clinched the team title, winning all three singles matches in straight sets. But Southeastern took both doubles matches, starting with the No. 1 team of Andrew Spirrison and Daniel Verde. The duo won 6-3, 7-5, and moved on to the individual doubles tournament. Spirrison and Verde will play the team from Lawrence Central at 4:30 p.m. today at North Central.
The Royals’ No. 2 team of Jackson Bill and Logan Hubbard got Southeastern’s second point, winning a hard-fought match 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. The senior team finished its season with a 21-5 record.
“I loved the way that we won those last two doubles matches,” said HSE coach Kirk Webber. “Our doubles teams have been strong all year. That 2 doubles match, I know the team result is already over, but just for those guys to go out on a win. They’re both seniors, both great kids.”
In the individual singles tournament, Fishers freshman Reese Knoderer won the sectional championship by beating Heritage Christian’s Jack Booker 6-2, 6-3. Knoderer will next play in the individual regional at Fishers on Saturday, Oct. 19.
The Carmel boys tennis team won its 10th consecutive regional championship on Wednesday. The Greyhounds beat West Lafayette 5-0 for the Kokomo regional championship. (Photo provided)
Fishers freshman Reese Knoderer won the individual singles sectional championship at North Central on Wednesday. Knoderer is pictured with Tigers coach Dave Heffern. (Richie Hall)