Knights avenge 2016 title loss to Cubs

BRAZIL — The Northview girls’ tennis team erased some of the difficult memories on Friday evening from a sectional championship loss to Greencastle last season, battling their way to the program’s 19th sectional title with a 4-1 win over the Tiger Cubs.

The Knights improved to 14-1 this season and sent three seniors (Madison Russell, Linzy Lunsford and Carleigh Shrader) out with a win in their final home match.

“(Winning the sectional) was big for our three seniors that are on the varsity this year. For two of them it was their first time playing in the sectional championship match,” Northview head coach Emily Goff said. “I think it is huge for those girls and just a great way to go out (on their home court).”

All five matches were tight throughout with Greencastle winning at number one doubles and Northview claiming the remaining four matches for the win.

Sophomore Megan Heck got the evening started on a positive note as she rolled to a quick 6-1, 6-3 win at number two singles over the Tiger Cubs’ Emma Taylor. The win put Northview ahead 1-0.

Freshman Kambree Lucas has been solid all season long for Northview at No. 3 singles and gave her team a 2-0 lead as she topped fellow frosh Sarah Heithaus.

Northview’s number two doubles team of Lunsford and Shrader had won their first set, but trailed 2-1 and 3-2 in the second set.

The number one doubles team of Russell and Emma Clawson were down a set as Elle Tipton’s number one singles match was tight in the second set.

Tipton recorded a 6-2 win in the opening set, but trailed 2-1 before she rallied back. Matched up with Greencastle senior Madison Trout, Tipton bore down and won the final five points of her match to provide the clinching team point in a 6-2, 6-2 victory.

Playing at number two singles in last year’s loss to the Tiger Cubs, Tipton knew all too well how important the match-ups with Greencastle have become.

“I definitely think that we all were pretty hype coming into tonight. We were into it and wanted it more than anything else. Sealing the deal felt pretty good,” Tipton said with a smile. “This is a big rivalry so it feels good to win.”

Lunsford and Shrader were still locked in a back-and-forth affair at number two doubles after Greencastle claimed a 6-1, 6-4 win at number one doubles behind veterans Lydia Trout and Nicole Newgent.

After winning their first set 6-4, Lunsford and Shrader fell behind 3-2 and then 4-3 before rallying back for a 5-4 lead.

The Tiger Cubs’ Carinne Buchanon and Gretchen Weliever came back to tie the second set at five-all before the Knights claimed the final two points and the victory.

“This is awesome. Greencastle is always a tough opponent and give us a great match,” Goff said. “After losing to Greencastle last year, it was one of our main goals to beat them in the sectional this year and we did it.”

The Knights will face North Montgomery in today’s Crawfordsville Regional opener at 5 p.m.

Northview 4, Greencastle 1

Singles — 1. Elle Tipton (N) def. Madison Trout (G) 6-2, 6-2; 2. Megan Heck (N) def. Emma Taylor (G) 6-1, 6-3; 3. Kambree Lucas (N) def. Sarah Heithaus (G), 6-3, 6-1

Doubles — 1. Lydia Trout-Nicole Newgent (G) def. Madison Russell-Emma Clawson (N), 6-1 6-4; 2. Linzy Lunsford-Carleigh Shrader (N) def. Carinne Buchanon-Gretchen Weliever (G), 6-4, 7-5