Tennis: Shamrocks’ state run ends in semis

By CRAIG ADKINS

For The Reporter

INDIANAPOLIS – The Westfield girls tennis team kept its postseason undefeated streak going right on into the state quarterfinals last Friday.

Westfield and Bishop Chatard met up as one of four matchups with the Shamrocks knocking out the Trojans 5-0 in a quarterfinal match at the Barbara Wynne Tennis Center at North Central High School.

Shutouts against Hamilton Heights and Noblesville in the sectional, Alexandria and Delta in regional play and Homestead at semi-state have the Shamrocks riding high heading into the State Finals.

The ‘Rocks are making their second consecutive appearance and they played with purpose to advance to today’s semifinals.

“It was a tough match, definitely on all three singles courts,” said Westfield head coach Trudy Coler. “Long points and long games. A good tiebreaker at three singles for that first set. So, it was close and they had great points. It took a little while for us to figure some things out, which is always good, especially since it’s a team we didn’t play this season.”

It took a few games for all three singles matches to get on track. The two doubles team didn’t run into any troubles at all on the way to straight-set wins, as did one and two singles.

“You’re always trying to assess your opponent the first few games. My girls did a good job doing that. It just took a little bit of the first set to do that. Doubles, I thought, came out really well, handles their first sets super well,” Coler continued. “They kind of had to hang in there to figure out some things in the second sets and came out with some really good matches in dubs as well.”

No. 1 singles player, freshman Alexandria Grilliot improved her undefeated record to 26-0 with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Cathy Beckmann. Grilliot plays Jasper’s undefeated senior Harper Wigand (28-0) today.

At No. 2 singles, sophomore Isla Harvey (15-1) got the win against Chatard’s Maggie Bertram, 6-4, 6-2. Harvey plays another one-loss opponent today in Marian Hayes (25-1).

The no. 3 singles matchup was Westfield’s toughest. Junior Juliette Grilliot moved to 14-1 with a hard-fought 7-6 (4), 6-4 battle. Juliette takes on the Wildcats’ Lila Hawkes (20-2) this morning.

The no. 1 doubles team of junior Jenna Berry and sophomore Bella Rivera (22-3) were 6-2, 6-2 winners. They take on Jasper’s Reese Mundy and Adaysha Smiley (26-2) today.

No. 2 doubles faced a little adversity, but were able to keep their undefeated mark going. Senior Addi Kooi was not able to play and was replaced by sophomore alternate Maddie Iovino. Junior Ellen Volz and Iovino came away with a 6-2, 6-4 win to help the ‘Rocks advance to the Final 4 today.

Early on, the weather played a little bit of a role, but all eight teams made adjustments accordingly.

“I think everybody felt the heat at some point today, maybe not as much in dubs, but the humidity really picked up in singles on both sides of the court,” said Coler. “We haven’t played in it (humidity), we haven’t had it this season.”

Westfield’s run came to an end last Saturday in the semifinals, as Jasper beat the Shamrocks 4-1. The Rocks finished their season 22-2.

Alexandra Grilliot got Westfield’s lone win at No. 1 singles, beating Harper Wigand 6-1, 6-3. Grilliot will advance to the individual state tournament, which takes place this weekend.

Buttrick reaches state

University’s Laurel Buttrick also advanced to the individual state tournament by winning the North 2 individual regional last Saturday at North Central.

Buttrick beat Hammond Bishop Noll’s Sophia Nowicki 6-0, 6-0 in her first match, then defeated Goshen’s Landry Schrock 6-0, 6-1 in the championship.

“I thought I played pretty well,” said Buttrick, who qualified for state for the first time.