GHS advances to sectional final

Saturday, May 17, 2008

BRAZIL -- It took just over an hour for the Greencastle girls' tennis team to defeat Owen Valley 3-2 Friday night. Now, in their sights will be the Northview Knights for the sectional title.

Greencastle set to work Friday evening, but things started off a little shaky for the Tiger Cubs in the early going. Uncharacteristic errors were apparent throughout the lineup but Greencastle did what they've done all season -- get the job done.

Greencastle senior Kelsey Hennette prepares to return a shot during Friday night's sectional action. Hennette and the Tiger?Cubs defeated Owen Valley 3-2 to advance to the Northview Sectional finals against Northview at 10 a.m. today

No. 1 singles player Kelsey Hennette was first to leave the courts after a blistering set that sent Patriot Adrian Gillasby packing 6-2 and 6-3. She gained Greencastle's only singles win on the evening.

Although Hennette was first to leave the courts, it was the performance of the No. 2 doubles team of Emma Kaiser and Kristen Flint that seemed to set the tone for GHS. Kaiser and Flint jumped out quick and took the first set 6-2 and was in control of the second set until the final few games. After giving Owen Valley's duo of Lauren Goddard and Torie Sandline a sense of false hope, Kaiser and Flint finished them off with a second set win of 6-3.

Savannah Provine and Carol LaFoe took the No. 1 doubles contest 6-3 and 6-4 over Lexi Carmichael and Elizabeth Schenck. Provine and LaFoe worked effortlessly with each other but it was a monster serve from Provine that closed out the match.

"I'm really happy with the win," GHS head coach Trish Lowe. "I know it's the same people who won when we played them in the regular season, which was Monday. The improvement in No. 2 and No. 3 singles in their matches were phenomenal. They both were really in the first set. There were times when they were ahead in the first set. I'm very happy with them."

Marta Torre struggled throughout her No. 2 singles match with Owen Valley's Jordan Henson. Henson would hit slice shots to bring Torre to the net and then power balls past her for points. Torre held close in the first set, losing 7-5 but in the second set she lost 6-0.

Sophomore Kate Babington continues to improve as her season progresses into the sectional final. At No. 3 singles, Babington battled with Nicole Duling, staying close in the first set but losing 6-4. In the second set, Babington began to lose her mental edge which affected her game and led to her dropping the second set 6-0.

"I'm Especially happy with Kate Babington," Lowe said. "She didn't play in the varsity lineup and then at the end of the season, she came into the lineup and really did a nice job. She really has some true potential to be a good tennis player as long as she doesn't allow her mental game to override her physical game.

"It is a great team win but it's over and now we have to play tomorrow at 10 a.m. I was happy with the draw and we found a way to get into the finals and that's what it's all about," Lowe commented.

Greencastle will face Northview for the sectional championship at 10 a.m. today

At Northview Sectional

Greencastle 3, Owen Valley 2

Singles -- Hennette (GHS) def. Gillasby (OV), 6-2, 6-3; Henson (OV) def. Torre (GHS) 7-5, 6-0; Duling (OV) def. Babington (GHS) 6-4, 6-0.

Doubles -- LaFoe/Provine (GHS) def. Carmichael/Schenck (OV) 6-3, 6-4; Flint/Kaiser (GHS) def. Goddard/Sandline (OV) 6-2, 6-3.

Next game -- Greencastle will face Northview for the sectional championship at 10 a.m. today

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