Oct. 3—LOOGOOTEE — The Barr-Reeve Vikings (19-1) earned its first boys’ tennis sectional title since 1985 with a 5-0 win over North Daviess on Thursday at Loogootee’s Rick Graves Tennis Courts.
“I’m glad we could finally knock the door down and win a sectional after almost 40 years. These boys have put in a lot of time and work to get to this point and we couldn’t be more proud of them. We will enjoy this for the moment but back to work to prepare to play a solid Sullivan team at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday night at Jasper,” said coach Viking Brock Higgins.
At No. 1, Xavier Meiring beat ND’s Blake Huff 6-1, 6-2, Daniel Underwood beat Coby Loheider, 6-2, 6-4 and Kierson Lengacher beat Cougar Koen Stoll, 6-1, 6-1.
The Vikes also completed the doubles sweep, Levi Lester and Isaac Madison beat Rex Freed and Aden Graber, 6-0, 6-4 at No. 1 doubles, while Kyle Graber and Brody Swartzentruber beat Braylen Pridemore and Nate Raber, 6-1, 6-3.
“We really played pretty well tonight. Similar to the first time we played them, you just have to tip you cap to a better team. We ended the season with a 19-3 record with the seniors being apart of 80-plus wins with four conference championships,” said ND coach Adam Schulte.
Semi-final Round-Up Washington 1, South Knox 4
VINCENNES — The Washington boys’ tennis team lost to a talented South Knox team at the Vincennes Tennis Sectional on Wednesday.
Washington’s Josh Meredith won his match at No. 1 singles, 6-1, 6-1. Tristan Zollars, at two singles, lost 1-6, 1-6, and Owen Barber lost at three singles 0-6, 0-6.
The No. 1 doubles team of Layton Welsh and Brody Armes lost in two close sets, 4-6, 4-6. The second doubles position of Hayden Tomey and Caleb Bouchie lost in straight sets 1-6, 1-6.
“It’s always bittersweet to lose in sectionals especially when we put so much hard work into the season. We look forward to supporting Josh Meredith who advances to Jasper in the singles tournament on Tuesday,” said WHS coach Jason Johnston.
Barr-Reeve 5, Loogootee 0
LOOGOOTEE — The Barr-Reeve tennis team won the semifinal sectional match against Loogootee 5-0 on Wednesday night to go 18-1 on the season.
At No. 1, Xavier Meiring beat Koen Waggner, 6-2, 6-0. Daniel Underwood beat Wade Walton, 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2, while Viking Kierson Lengacher beat William Lyon, 6-1, 6-1.
B-R swept the doubles with Levi Lester and Isaac Madison beat Lions Cooper Van Hoy and Joe Graber, 6-2, 6-3, while Kyle Graber and Brody Swartzentruber beat Reed Brittain and Emmett Graber, 6-2, 6-1.
“I was really proud of our boys tonight as I felt like we played some really good tennis against a quality Loogootee team. All of our singles came out and executed the game plans very well and our doubles were aggressive and took care of business,” said B-R coach Brock Higgins.
North Daviess 3, Paoli 2
North Daviess opened with a 3-2 win over Paoli to advance to the Thursday sectional finals with Barr-Reeve.
The Cougars did have a tight 3-set match at No. 1 doubles, but were able to cruise through the singles portion of the match.
“Singles walked through the matches with ease. One doubles of Freed/Graber lost in a three-set nail biter,” ND coach Adam Schulte said.
“Our singles played well tonight. I hated to see our one doubles lose in a heartbreaker, but I’m hoping that will help them against tougher competition tomorrow night.”
ND’s Blake Huff was a 6-0, 6-1 winner in the top spot. Coby Loheider added a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 2 and Koen Stoll completed the sweep, 2 and 2.
Rex Freed and Aden Graber lost in a three-set match to Paoli’s Blaze Knapp and Jonny Schellenberger, 3-6, 6-4 and 6-7(3-7), allowing the Rams’ No. 1 doubles team to advance to the Jasper Regional. At No. 2 doubles, Nate Raber and Braylen Pridemore lost 2-2.
ND and B-R will play for the Sectional Championship at 5 p.m. Thursday in Loogootee.
