Most years, a battle between Columbus North and the host Olympians at some point in the Columbus East Sectional determines the champion.
This season, that wasn’t the case. Hauser upset East 3-2 in Thursday’s semifinals to earn a spot alongside the 14th-ranked Bull Dogs in Friday’s title match.
North wasted little time Friday in putting together a 4-0 victory against the Jets in a match that was called because of rain with the No. 2 doubles battle still in progress.
“We thought all along it would probably be East, but at the same time, we thought East and Hauser would be a very good match with the lineup that (East) used, and it turned into Hauser’s favor,” North coach Kendal Hammel said. “But we came out against a nice team that has some good players, and we just did not let up.”
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The sectional title is the fifth in a row and 33rd overall for Bull Dogs (13-5), who will play Tuesday in the Bloomington North Regional semifinals against the winner of the suspended Seymour Sectional final between the host Owls and Scottsburg. The regional final is Wednesday.
On Friday, Columbus North had to beat the Jets (8-5) and the rain. A light drizzle began to fall as the match progressed and eventually turned into a downpour shortly after the Bull Dogs won their fourth point.
“We went out there and played very aggressively and played some quick tennis,” Hammel said. “We knew we had a rain issue, and we tried to keep things moving as quickly as possible, trying to get things done, and I was pleased with how we played.”
No. 1 doubles picked up the first win for the Bull Dogs. Madelyn Sanders and Eva Chevalier beat Sarah Tedder and Abby Johnson 6-0, 6-0.
“We played just like we’ve been playing in practice,” Sanders said. “We didn’t let anything stop us, not even the rain.”
Chevalier agreed.
“I feel like we were really aggressive, and we really communicated together,” Chevalier said.
North’s Jaline Tay picked up a 6-0, 6-0 victory against Maddy Archer at No. 2 singles to give the Bull Dogs a 2-0 lead. Yijiang Zhao then topped Alana Owen 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 singles.
That gave the Bull Dogs a 3-0 lead and clinched the title.
“I was playing better today than before,” Zhao said. “I just have to be more confident in my shots and just go for it and not be afraid of hitting the ball.”
North’s Shweta Srinivasan beat Madie Sherman 6-0, 6-0 to make it 4-0 just as the rain started to pick up.
At No. 2 doubles, the Bull Dogs’ Ali Bergman and Servanne Cloteaux led Kylie Lock and Melanie Taylor 6-1, 3-2 when play was halted. Lock and Taylor had given Hauser the deciding point in the semifinals.
“I think we went into (the final) knowing it was going to be tough,” Hauser coach Molly Crabtree said. “But we were happy with our win (Thursday) against East. I thought maybe (we would) come out with a little more fight, but I think they were kind of nervous. We had a great season, though.”
