Triton Central captures third-straight tennis sectional championship

With a pair of wins Thursday, Triton Central secured its third consecutive tennis sectional championship – and fifth in the last six seasons.

The Tigers defeated Shelbyville, 4-1, in the semifinal round match Thursday and returned to the courts to top Southwestern, 5-0, for the championship.

Wednesday’s semifinal matches were postponed to set up Thursday’s full schedule.

Southwestern reached the championship with a 3-2 win over Morristown Thursday.

With the sectional title, Triton Central advances to Tuesday’s Center Grove Regional to face the winner of the Center Grove Sectional. The No. 5 ranked Trojans face Whiteland today in the sectional championship match.

The other regional semifinal match will pit Connersville against the Perry Meridian Sectional winner. The host Falcons face Decatur Central to determine the champion.

Morristown’s No. 1 doubles pairing of Emmy Bowyer and Emma Waggoner also advance into the state doubles tournament after their win over the Spartans Thursday.

The sectional started Tuesday with a quarterfinal match between Triton Central and Waldron. The Tigers secured the victory before inclement weather forced the postponement of the lone remaining match at No. 1 doubles.

Waldron’s Emerson Lindsey and Jackie Corlett won the first set and were leading Neve Kahler and Kate Collier, 4-3 in the second set when the match was stopped.

On Thursday, Kahler and Collier rallied to win the second set and dominated the third set for a 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-0 win to complete Triton Central’s 5-0 victory over the Mohawks.

The Tigers lost just 10 games total over the other four matches.

Of note, Maryrose Felling (photo) defeated Riley Thurston at No. 1 singles, 6-1, 6-1 to break the program record for career wins with her 66^th victory.

Shelbyville’s lone victory against Triton Central came at No. 1 singles where Ava Muckerheide defeated Felling, 7-6 (2), 6-2.

Anniston Evans needed two tiebreakers to top Sophia Asher, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3).

Zhibek Zhumaly topped Jenna Jersan, 6-2, 6-4.

At No. 1 doubles, Kahler and Collier secured a 6-1, 6-1 win over Reese Fortune and Megan Childres.

Estelle Gearlds and Cadence Roberts produced a No. 2 doubles victory over Chloe Caldwell and Abby Gwinnup, 7-5, 6-2.

Triton Central lost just seven games while sweeping Southwestern in the championship.

Felling defeated Kelsey Stringer, 6-2, 6-1. Evans bested Sai Villanueva, 6-0, 6-1. And Zhumaly topped Kim Vasquez, 6-0, 6-1.

Kahler and Collier secured the third win of the day with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Callie Beck and Hayden Ramey.

Gearlds and Roberts blanked Claire Utley and Maci Murray at No. 2 doubles, 6-0, 6-0.

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