Warsaw, Wawasee Netters Advance

By Andrew Holladay, Times-Union Staff

SYRACUSE – Despite temperatures in the low 50’s the Warsaw and Wawasee girls tennis teams both won in the first round of the Wawasee Sectional Thursday.

The Lady Tigers, 7-7 at the end of the regular season, won 4-1 against the Churubusco Eagles.

Senior Alicia Swank lost a close match in three sets against sophomore Lauren Mey in No. 1 singles while junior Anushri Gokhale pulled out a tough match against senior Sarah Roebel at No. 2 singles.

Seniors Gabby Schlitt and Jill Harrison cleaned up at No. 2 doubles, winning against junior Brittany Grove and senior Lisa McHenry in two sets.

The Lady Tigers did not play Churubusco in the regular season.

“Churubusco is a good team,” said Warsaw coach Rick Orban. “I was very pleased with our performance today.”

Wawasee, with a regular season record of 1-13, won 4-1 against the Tippecanoe Valley Vikings. The Warriors will meet Warsaw in the sectional championship Saturday at 10 a.m.

“We have to play the match of our lives,” Wawasee coach Les Phipps said of the championship match. “All the girls must play well at the proper moments for us to win.”

Warrior senior Rachael Fleagle easily won in two sets against Tippy Valley senior Brooke Prater in No. 1 singles while freshman Kelsey Mark won in three sets against junior Lindsey Stavedahl at No. 2 singles.

WARSAW 4, CHURUBUSCO 1

Singles

No. 1 – Lauren Mey (C) def. Alicia Swank 0-6, 6-0, 6-4

No. 2 – Anushri Gokhale (W) def. Sarah Roebel 6-2, 4-6, 6-2

No. 3 – Lauren Piper (W) def. Megan Ramsey 6-4, 6-2

Doubles

No. 1 – Gabby Schlitt/Jill Harrison (W) def. Brittany Grove/Lisa McHenry 6-1, 6-2

No. 2 – Erin Coppes/Karley Sasso (W) def. Jenna Bonar/Allyson Salesman 6-1, 6-2

WAWASEE 4, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 1

Singles

No. 1 – Rachel Fleagle (W) def. Brooke Prater 6-2, 6-2

No. 2 – Kelsey Mark (W) def. Lindsey Stavedahl 6-4, 3-6, 6-2

No. 3 – Brooke Tait (W) def. Sheena Reed 6-4, 6-0

Doubles

No. 1 – Maribeth Martin/Andrea Kindig (TV) def. Allison Thornburgh/Abby Cox 6-1, 6-3

No. 2 – Kindra Wright/Brooke Kaiser (W) def. Kelsey Kitch/Tara Scott 6-4, 6-2

Team records: Warsaw 8-7, Churubusco 2-12, Wawasee 2-13, Tippecanoe Valley 1-14