By RICHIE HALL
INDIANAPOLIS – Two Hamilton County doubles teams participated in the IHSAA individual tournament last Saturday at North Central’s Barbara Wynne Tennis Center.
Both teams finished splendid seasons with losses to the eventual state champion. Guerin Catholic’s sophomore sisters Katie Kolb and Anna Kolb dropped a semifinal match to Jasper’s team of senior Paige Giesler and junior Reese Mundy 6-3, 6-1.
While that was going on, the Fishers senior duo of Cassie Maurer and Caroline Ober was winning its semifinal match, beating the Angola team of junior Ava Harris and sophomore Maya Harris 6-2, 6-3. That put the Tigers in the championship match, where they fell to the Jasper team 6-3, 6-4.
It was still a great season for both teams and their respective schools. The Kolb sisters finished the season 23-3 and helped the Golden Eagles team to one of its best seasons to date.
“I think it was a great season,” said Katie Kolb. “We really learned to play well together and communicate. Being twins helps. But we just had a great season. We’re really grateful for everyone who helped us.”
“It was just a really good season,” said Anna Kolb. “I’m so happy that I got to play with my twin sister.”
While Guerin Catholic graduates senior Katie Geon from No. 1 singles, everyone else in the varsity lineup returns. Anna Kolb said it was “nice to have a good team that’s really supportive,” and her sister agrees.
“Having a really young team is really nice for us because we’ve all gotten to grow to be really good friends for each other and good teammates,” said Katie Kolb. “We’re just going to continue to grow in our friendship.”
In quarterfinal action last Friday, Katie Kolb and Anna Kolb beat the Fort Wayne Carroll team of sophomore Riley Glassley and freshman Chloe Ceresa 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the semifinals.
Make them fight
In the championship match, the Jasper team took an early lead to win the set. The Tigers didn’t make it easy in the second set, leading 3-0 before the Wildcats made their comeback. Even in the final game of the match, Maurer and Ober continued to battle, saving a couple of match points.
“It was just really important that second set just to not give up and just make them fight for every point,” said Ober. “And I think we did that.”
“I’m really proud of the way we played all season,” said Maurer. She and Ober finished their season with a 24-3 record, which Maurer called “incredible.” They were also an integral part of Fishers’ runner-up finish in the team state tournament.
“I’m really proud that we got this far,” said Maurer. “The Jasper girls are a great team. I’m not disappointed at all. I thought we played great.”
Ober is headed to Purdue University, while Maurer will attend Ball State. While they won’t be playing collegiate tennis, they are thinking about playing club tennis.
“I don’t think I could ever just give up tennis,” said Maurer. “I’ve been playing it now since I was 3, so it’d be hard to give up.”