Columbus North celebrates its girls tennis regional title Wednesday at the Indiana University Tennis Center. Pictured from left are Sydney Cooper, Annabelle Sun, Leah George, Ashlie Wilson, Tiffany Fu, Kathryn Wilson and Aya Saad.
Ted Schultz | The Republic
BLOOMINGTON — Wednesday’s thunderstorms precipitated a move of the Bloomington girls tennis regional final indoors to the Indiana University Tennis Center.
Columbus North wasn’t fazed. The third-ranked Bull Dogs built an early 3-0 lead and went on to post a 5-0 win against No. 28 Bloomington North.
“I was a little excited because I enjoy playing inside more than I do outside, actually,” senior No. 1 singles player Ashlie Wilson said. “But it’s a little bit of a change, especially since I’ve been playing outside this whole season. But after a little bit of warming up, it’s not hard to adapt.”
The Bull Dogs (16-3), who move on to Saturday’s Jasper Regional, actually began Wednesday’s match with a 1-0 lead. The Cougars’ No. 3 singles player was ill, and a potential replacement was injured, so they had to forfeit that position.
Ashlie and Kathryn Wilson then made quick work of their opponents at No. 1 and No. 2 singles. Ashlie Wilson won 6-0, 6-0 against Alex Shirley.
“I was happy with how I played today,” Ashlie Wilson said. “The girl was pretty good, and I was being aggressive, and my serves were good.”
Kathryn Wilson also won 6-0, 6-0, beating Brooke Bailey.
“I just had to really take into consideration the wind and stuff because when we’re outside, sometimes it’s windy, sometimes it’s not, sometimes it’s really sunny, so I just have to just take that away,” Kathryn Wilson said. “I was really focused and ready to go, and I’m just excited about the matches to come.”
Columbus North made it 4-0 when Tiffany Fu and Leah George finished off a 6-0, 6-2 win against Kiera Murphy and Maddie Brumley at No. 1 doubles.
The fifth point came a little tougher for the Bull Dogs. Sydney Cooper and Annabelle Sun won the first set 6-0, but trailed 5-4 in the second set before rallying to win three consecutive games for a 6-0, 7-5 victory.
“We honestly played very well,” Columbus North coach Kendal Hammel said. “It was fortunate for us they forfeited No, 3 singles, and they had an alternate playing in at No. 1 doubles, as well, so it was a much different team. I felt the singles did what they’ve been doing all season long and came out and played very well. Then, both 1 and 2 doubles played some really nice tennis today.”
