Hamilton Southeastern dropped a close dual meet to No. 9-ranked Homestead 3-2 in a Friday battle of top-10 ranked teams.
The No. 6 Royals got their victories at No. 2 singles, where freshman Taylor Wolf easily won 6-2, 6-0, and from the No. 1 doubles team of Misha Bukkasagaram and Meghan Slaninka, who won 6-2, 6-3.
Southeastern coach Kirk Webber said he was proud of how Wolf, Bukkasagaram and Slaninka stepped up, as the Royals would need to win at those spots since they had to sub in at four other spots due to injury and absences.
“Misha and Meghan played some outstanding doubles against a really good doubles team, and they were really impressive tonight,” said Webber. “Taylor played some tough tennis and constructed some nice points against a big hitter. I feel like our girls had really good shot selection tonight.”
The other matches were also decided by straight sets, although No. 3 singles, sophomore Novelle Lee battled in her match, stretching her opponent to 6-4, 7-6, with the tiebreak going to 8-6. Lee fought off three match points in the tiebreak to get it even at 6-6.
“Unfortunately, the Homestead girl took the next two points to win the set and the match,” said Webber. “But it was an exciting match to watch with a lot of good points being played by both players. I’m proud of the way Novelle fought tonight. She constructed good points, finished well at the net, and forced her opponent into a lot of mistakes. She also showed a lot of toughness tonight, and this is a match that will definitely make her better.”
At No. 1 singles, sophomore Tatum Keaffaber won the first game, but lost 6-1, 6-0 to senior Olivia Creech, who Webber said was a tough player with a nice drop shot. The No. 2 doubles team of junior Lena Denton and Disha Bukkasagaram played a close first set, before the Spartans team won 6-4, 6-0.
“It’s disappointing to lose our final dual match of the year, but I was proud of how our girls stepped up and made it competitive even without four of our normal varsity squad,” said Webber. “Hopefully those girls will be well-rested and ready to go next week for sectionals. And it was good for some JV girls to get some quality varsity experience tonight.”
Southeastern is 13-3 and will play at the Noblesville sectional next week.
