GIRLS’ TENNIS: Providence caps off historic season as state runner-up

By KEVIN HARRIS

kevinharris1972@gmail.com

INDIANAPOLIS – Providence recently completed a historic season by finishing second in the IHSAA State Finals at Indianapolis North Central High School.

It was the Pioneers’ highest finish ever as a team in the team state finals. During the 1975-76 season, Providence’s Mary Chris Fell was the runner-up in the IHSAA individual state singles finals.

On June 2 at Carmel High School, the third-ranked Pioneers defeated No. 4 Center Grove (20-3) in the state quarterfinals 3-2.

One match went three sets as the Providence No. 2 doubles team of senior Natalie Jacobi and junior Heidi Popson beat the Trojans’ Carleigh Hardin and Ellie Strube 2-6, 6-2, 7-5. The Pioneers got singles victories from sophomore Halli Trinkle at the No. 1 position and freshman Natalie Boesing at No. 2.

Providence claimed its semifinal match on June 3 at North Central against No. 6 South Bend St. Joseph (24-2) 3-2.

For the second consecutive match, Jacobi and Popson rallied from a one-set deficit to prevail at No. 2 doubles. They downed the Indians’ Kathryn Borders and Nicole Pascual 5-7, 7-5, 6-2. Trinkle and Boesing each posted straight-set triumphs at Nos. 1 and 2 singles, respectively.

The Pioneers lost in the state championship match to top-ranked Carmel 5-0 on June 3 at North Central. One match lasted three sets as Trinkle suffered a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 setback to Greyhound junior Lauren Lemonds at one singles.

The state-title match loss to Carmel (19-0) was Providence’s lone dual-match setback of the season as it finished with a 21-1 record. It was the Greyhounds’ fourth state championship in the last five years.

IHSAA STATE FINALS

CHAMPIONSHIP

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

AT INDIANAPOLIS NORTH CENTRAL

CARMEL 5, PROVIDENCE 0

Singles: Lauren Lemonds d. Halli Trinkle 6-4, 3-6, 6-2; Kiersten Carlson d. Natalie Boesing 6-1, 6-4; Zoe Woods d. Clare Hooper 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles: Grace Marchese-Julia Miller d. Izzy Coe-Hannah Conder 6-4, 6-2; Cece Katz-Apurva Manas d. Natalie Jacobi-Heidi Popson 6-1, 6-1.

SEMIFINAL

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

AT INDIANAPOLIS NORTH CENTRAL

PROVIDENCE 3, SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH 2

Singles: Trinkle (P) d. Maddie Yergler 6-2, 6-3; Boesing (P) d. Natalie Sill 6-0, 6-0; Isabel Neal (SBSJ) d. Hooper 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Doubles: Talle Corrigan-Kayla Graham (SBSJ) d. Coe-Conder 6-3, 6-1; Jacobi-Popson (P) d. Kathryn Borders-Nicole Pascual 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.

QUARTERFINAL

FRIDAY, JUNE 2

AT CARMEL

PROVIDENCE 3, CENTER GROVE 2

Singles: Trinkle (P) d. Katelyn Gray 6-1, 6-1; Boesing (P) d. Emily Hoy 6-0, 6-0; Maddie Weeks (CG) d. Hooper 6-4, 7-5.

Doubles: Cassidy Hardin-Isabella Schoolcraft (CG) d. Coe-Conder 6-1, 6-1; Jacobi-Popson (P) d. Carleigh Hardin-Ellie Strube 2-6, 6-2, 7-5.