The Seymour and Austin tennis teams opened the Seymour Sectional on Wednesday afternoon, and the Owls advanced with a 4-1 victory.
“It was a good start to the sectional, winning 4-1,” Owls coach Jennifer Miller said. “It was definitely a good way to go into (tonight) against Brownstown, just having played them last week. We needed to play well tonight and play hard, and I think we did that, so I think the girls will be ready to play again (today).”
Seymour’s Hallie Crenshaw and Austin’s Jalen Coomer were on the No. 1 singles court for nearly 2.5 hours before Coomer won 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-4.
“(Coomer) really had two weapons,” Miller said. “She had a wicked spin serve, and a slice and her entire match was played with those two things, and that is something that Hallie does not see at No. 1. She’s used to hitting against opponents who generate pace, and can play ball-for-ball with her.
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“Between the wind blowing 20 miles per hour, and the method with which her opponent played, she definitely was taken out of her comfort zone tonight.”
The Owls won the other four positions in straight sets, with No. 2 singles Megan Baurle defeating Clarice Goodin 6-0, 6-0, No. 3 singles Kelli Armes topping Brooklyn Blaylock by the same score, and No. 1 doubles Addie Rudge and Katie O’Mara also blanking Skylar Coomer and Macy Baker.
Seymour’s No. 2 doubles team of Rachel Collett and Grace Otte were 6-0, 6-1 winners against Kailley Fugate and Lilly Humphrey.
Miller said she was pleased the way those girls dominated their opponents.
“We dropped one game at the other four positions,” she said. “No. 3 singles played very quickly. (Armes) was on and off in a very short time, which is good for her going into (tonight). Our doubles got a little sloppy at times, but still managed to pull through and do pretty well.
“As long as we can clean those things up and not take points off (against the Braves) we’ll be fine.”
The Owls (12-5) defeated the Braves 5-0 at home May 11. The Braves come in with a record of 7-9.
The other match today will have Trinity Lutheran playing Scottsburg.
The Cougars did not play the Warriors during the season.
Today’s winners will play Friday for the championship.