The Carmel boys tennis team continued its semi-state streak on Saturday.
The No. 1-ranked Greyhounds beat No. 13 South Bend St. Joseph 5-0 to win the Culver Academies semi-state championship. It’s the 12th consecutive semi-state title for Carmel, extending its already-record streak of victories at that level. Overall, the ‘Hounds have won 18 semi-state titles.
Carmel won all five of its Saturday matches in straight sets. In singles, No. 1 Broc Fletcher won 6-3, 6-4, No. 2 singles Eli Mercer was victorious 6-3, 6-3, and No. 3 singles Rocky Li was 6-1, 6-1 winner. In doubles, No. 1 Srisanth Malpeddi and Jack Jentz got a 6-0, 6-0 shutout, and No. 2 Adrien Qi and Braedon McIntyre won 6-1, 6-1.
The Greyhounds now return to the state finals, where they are five-time defending champions. Carmel hosts No. 5 North Central at noon on Friday in a quarter-final match.
STATE QUARTER-FINAL MATCH-UPS
Munster vs. Columbus North
North Central vs. Carmel
Covington vs. Zionsville
Westview vs. Jasper