PENDLETON — Not only did the Pendleton Heights girls tennis team battle Alexandria-Monroe for the Madison County Championship, but both teams had to battle heavy winds during the match. The Arabians fell to the Tigers in the final, 5-0.
“We played well in the matches we won,” coach Royce Hammel said. “It’s always good to get to the finals.
“It’s always nice to play Alexandria. They’re good and they play hard.”
Hammel said the players probably played the wind as much as they played their opponents, but he believed the wind may have affected the Arabian play more than Alexandria’s.
“They knew how to play a little bit more with the wind and used it to their advantage,” he said.
“You learn from each match and get better for the next one,” Hammel said.
In No. 1 singles, Arabian freshman Abby Cruser faced off against McKenzie Adams. The match went well beyond the other matches with extended periods of volleys across the court. Adams won the match 6-4, 6-4.
“She runs things down. She has the determination to get better,” Hammel said. He said he can tell Cruser has a game plan, which is something not all freshmen have.
In No. 2 singles, Madison Painter fell to Kelsey Rhoades 6-3, 6-2, and at No. 3 singles, Lauren Marsh lost her match against Rylee Pyle 6-2, 6-1.
In No. 1 doubles, Cassidy Brandom and partner Emma Caldwell lost 6-1, 6-0 and at No. 2 doubles, Chloe Steinke and Chloe Kean fell to Taylor Stinefield and Gracyn Hosier 6-2, 6-2.
The young Arabian team made their trek to the finals by first defeating Elwood 4-1 on April 10 and then went on to take out Anderson also with a 4-1 win the following night.
The Arabians are 2-3 on the season and have several matches this week. They were at home Tuesday, April 17, against Shenandoah (after press time), at Shelbyville Friday, April 19 and at Hamilton Heights on Saturday, April 20.
