LAPEL — One Madison County tennis title is great.
To repeat is difficult.
To win a third is impressive, but the Lapel Bulldogs boys tennis team now has worked its way to near dynasty.
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It won its fifth consecutive Madison County title on Friday on its home courts 3-2 against Alexandria-Monroe.
“I think it shows a lot of commitment from Coach (Justin) Coomer,” No. 1 singles player Jesse McCurdy said. He said playing for the Bulldogs is an honor.
Coomer has a young and inexperienced team, but no one would have realized that by watching the action on the courts.
“We’ve had a lot of really great players over the years,” Coomer said.
While No. 1 and 2 singles, junior Jesse McCurdy and sophomore Nick Thalls, respectively, are experienced, most players are new to varsity.
“We have a solid team, but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The stakes were a little higher this year.”
Lapel doesn’t play Alexandria-Monroe in the regular season, so this was the only match-up between the two unless they meet again in the sectional.
McCurdy defeated Sam Hensley 6-0, 6-2, but despite the score, his opponent kept him on his toes.
“He was a strong competitor, and every point, his head was in it, and I’m proud of both of us,” McCurdy said.
“He’s a scrappy dude,” Coomer said of McCurdy’s opponent. “He’s a good athlete, and it makes it difficult.”
The Bulldogs’ two defeats were at No. 2 and No. 3 singles.
The doubles teams recorded similar match scores. Seniors Reid Ratzlaff and Ross Hagen won 6-2, 6-1, at No. 1 doubles. Seniors Ian Vipperman and Cole Metzger won 6-2, 6-1, at No. 2 doubles.
Being aggressive and winning the first set made the second one a little more relaxed, Vipperman said.
“We didn’t have to wear ourselves out,” he said.
Vipperman and Metzger are playing their first year at varsity but have been a team since middle school.
The two can each anticipate the other’s moves.
“He’s pretty aggressive (Vipperman), and I’m more quiet and smarter,” Metzger said.
Vipperman said Metzger is his complement.
“He’s elegant. I’m charging like a bull,” Vipperman said.
They said the strength of the Bulldog team will continue.
“The younger kids watch the older kids be so successful, and that motivates them to be good. Everyone wants to keep up the streak,” Vipperman said.
The Bulldogs made their way to the final by defeating Elwood 4-1 and Madison-Grant 3-2.
The Bulldogs are back to work with three matches in a row this week. They fell 4-1 at Noblesville on Monday, Aug. 27, and dropped a close 3-2 match at New Palestine on Tuesday, Aug. 28. Lapel was to play host to Eastern Hancock on Wednesday, Aug. 29 (after press time).
Pendleton Heights finished third in the tournament defeating Madison-Grant 4-1 in Game 2.
Senior Walker Stull defeated Nick Evans 6-3, 6-7(6) and 7-6(3). Kaleb Alumbaugh defeated Jace Gillman 6-0,6-0.
In doubles the No. 1 team of Jackson McKinney and Caleb King won 6-4, 4-6, 7-5. And in No. 2 doubles, Evan Bobb and Nick Vetor won 4-6, 6-0, 7-5.
In the first round, the Arabians swept Anderson Prep 5-0. They lost in the semifinal to Alexandria 4-1.
The Arabians beat Shelbyville 3-2 on Tuesday, Aug. 28. They face Rushville Thursday, Aug. 30, before playing in the Richmond Invitational on Sept. 1.