The Seymour girls tennis team didn’t miss a beat in the sectional semifinals as it takes aim on its fifth-straight title.
Thursday, the Owls defeated Jackson County foes Trinity Lutheran 5-0 to secure a spot in today’s sectional championship against Austin.
In the No. 2 singles position, Seymour’s Megan Baurle defeated Trinity’s Courtney Barker 6-0, 6-0.
Lou-Anne Horaru bested the Cougars’ Abby Schult 6-0, 6-0 to come off the court right behind Baurle.
Typically, Baurle and Horaru grind out their matches to the finish.
“Our two longest playing matches, consistently, were off the courts first for us,” Owls coach Jennifer Miller said. “I think that mentally it’s good for us going into the final round.”
At No. 1 singles, Hallie Crenshaw of Seymour defeated Aurora Willman 6-2, 6-1.
“They played about 45 minutes longer than anyone else,” Trinity coach Mark Voss said.
“They seemed to wear each other out. Hallie has a very good serve-and-volley game, and I think that’s what won it. All-in-all, it was a good performance by both players.”
The No. 1 doubles team of Lindsey Hume and Emma Wood downed Trinity’s Olivia Benter and Lauren Voss 6-0, 6-0.
Seymour’s Addie Rudge and Katie O’Mara secured a 6-0, 6-1 against Leah Stuckwisch and Kelly Adams 6-0, 6-1.
“I saw a lot of consistency on our first serves,” Miller said. “I think that the girls came in motivated to win knowing that we hadn’t had a chance to play Trinity this year. I think everyone was solid on the boards for us.”
With the loss, the Cougars finish 3-12 for their 2016 campaign.
“I saw a very, very good Seymour team,” Voss said. “That’s probably the best team we’ve seen all year long. They’re going to be a force the rest of the way. Our girls never quit, and that’s something we strive to do. We’ve gotten better all year long and became a family.
“I’m very proud of all my girls this year. They did everything I asked of them. I wanted them to be a unit, and they accomplished that. We picked up some wins along the way and it was all good.”
Benter, Adams, William will graduate from the Cougars’ varsity starting lineup.
“The (seniors) meant everything to this program since I’ve gotten here,” Voss said. “I came in not knowing any of the kids. They took everything I told them and worked hard. They’re quality kids.”
Austin and Seymour (12-5) will face off the for the first time this season in the sectional championship.
On Friday, the Eagles escaped with a 3-2 win against Scottsburg.
The championship is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. tonight on the Owls’ courts.