Published: May 16, 2008 11:35 pm            

WeBo eliminates Lebanon from sectionals 3-2

Lebanon — Based on the first meeting between Lebanon and Western Boone, Friday’s sectional re-match was certainly going to be close. As it turned out, the tennis match was almost an exact replica of the May 5 meeting with the Lady Stars taking the 3-2 victory.

The sectional match did not hold quite the same drama, however, as the first three matches to finish were claimed by WeBo, Friday.

“Our game plan is just to come out an play point-by-point and game-by-game, and just focus on their own court, and that’s exactly what they did,” Western Boone head coach Allyson Gardner said. “I couldn’t ask for anything else, I’m just so proud of them.”

The Lady Star doubles teams were in complete control all afternoon, and never took their feet off the accelerator. In No. 2 doubles, Western Boone’s senior combo of Sarah Brindle and Bailey Keith showed no sign of weakness, beating junior Emily Northcutt and sophomore Kelli Nelson 6-3, 6-1.

Soon after that win, WeBo sophomore Abby Hanson wrapped up her No. 2 singles match over senior Caroline Lariviere 6-3, 6-2. This was perhaps the greatest surprise of the day, as the previous meeting between the two competitors saw a three-set epic that decided the match. This one was all Hanson, as she continues to steamroll her way through the back half of the season.

“One of (Hanson’s) goals was to come out here and take care of it quickly,” Gardner said.

As soon as Hanson could pack up her rackets, her No. 1 doubles teammates secured their win to advance Western Boone to today’s sectional finals. The Lady Star team of senior Teale Rutledge and sophomore Molly Coy beat the Lebanon team of junior Julie Ward and sophomore Rose Sparks 6-4, 6-3.

“On any give day, it depends on who’s playing better, who’s not, who’s serves are working,” Lebanon head coach Lisa Erwin said of the close matches between the two programs. “Allyson (Gardner) does a really good job, and the girls have worked really, really hard.”

The Lady Tigers took the remaining two matches, as Lebanon sophomore Liz Henson won a convincing 6-4, 6-3 match over junior Alexandra Watters.

“I’m proud of my girls,” Erwin said. “I would have like to come out on top. I would have liked to have a decisive conference win, but it doesn’t always happen that way.”

Lebanon and WeBo split the Sagamore Conference championship with North Montgomery.

Like the regular season matchup, the No. 1 singles match went an exciting three sets, but was ultimately bagged up by Lebanon senior Aly O’Conner. After winning the first set 6-0, O’Conner dropped the second set to Western Boone sophomore Brittney Horlacher 2-6. The momentum immediately shifted right back in the conditioned senior’s favor, as O’Conner won the third set 6-1 for the victory.

“(The No. 1 singles players) just give us a show,” Gardner said. “You could sit out here and watch them for hours. Aly played very well, and she pulled it through... good luck to her in regionals when she goes.”

Although her team was knocked out of the postseason, O’Conner can still make a run at state in the individual tournament. Any No. 1 singles player or No. 1 doubles team whose school has been eliminated, but has not lost a postseason match is entered in the individual tourney. It will coincide with team regional, semi-state, and state finals tournaments.

“Hopefully she can come out of there,” Erwin said of O’Conner, who holds a 15-3 individual record this season.

The Lady Stars now move on to their most difficult opponents of the season thus far. They will take on the No. 5 Zionsville Lady Eagles at 10 a.m. today.



ZIONSVILLE 5, ROSSVILLE 0

The No. 5 Lady Eagles finished the regular season playing their hearts out in a 4-1 thrashing of No. 6 Cathedral. Zionsville (16-1) had a bit less pressure in its sectional opener against 1-16 Rossville.

They defeated the Lady Hornets 5-0, and won every single game along the way.

“We had to peak to win 4-1 against a really strong (Cathedral) team,” Zionsville head coach Pat Slama said. “The girls were really in that zone, and the hardest thing is kind of step back.”

In No. 1 singles, senior Danielle Hansen picked up a 6-0, 6-0 win over Lindsey Zockman. In No. 2 singles, senior Margo Harrington defeated Sabrina Hackerd 6-0, 6-0. Zionsville junior Lauren Formuak also made short work of Patricia Murphy 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 3 singles match.

“The hardest thing they would have to do is play every point out and keep their head in the game, and I think they disciplined very well,” Slama said.

The Zionsville No. 1 doubles team of junior Eileen Dinnin and freshman Lindsey Hansen took down Danielle Byers and Shianne Holsclaw 6-0, 6-0. The No. 2 doubles team of senior Katie Thompson and sophomore Claire Mattison defeated Rena Goris and Kaitlyn Houchin 6-0, 6-0.

While the Lady Eagles are undoubtedly the favorites at this years sectional tournament, today’s championship match will be significantly tougher for them. They must adjust back to the caliber of team they faced througout the brutal regular season against a 15-2 Western Boone squad.

“We will play WeBo tomorrow and see what we can do there, and hopefully we’ll be playing next Tuesday in Lafayette (in regionals),” Slama said.

        

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