Triton Central

TC GIRLS TENNIS WINS SECTIONAL. Triton Central’s girls tennis team captured the IHSAA Sectional No. 24 championship Thursday night, defeating Shelbyville 4-1 in the semifinals before dominating Southwestern 5-0 in the championship match. With the two postseason victories, the Tigers improved to 20-3 on the season and advanced to IHSAA Regional No. 6 at Center Grove. In the sectional semifinal against Shelbyville, Triton Central responded after dropping the No. 1 singles match and won four straight courts to secure the team victory. At No. 2 singles, Anniston Evans delivered one of the biggest wins of the night in a tightly contested battle against Sophia Asher. Evans won both sets in tiebreaks, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3), to give the Tigers a critical point. Zhibek Zhumaly followed with a strong 6-2, 6-4 victory at No. 3 singles over Jenna Jersan. The Tigers dominated doubles play to seal the match. The No. 1 doubles team of Kate Collier and Neve Kahler cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 victory, while Estelle Gearlds and Cadence Roberts battled through a competitive opening set before pulling away for a 7-5, 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles. Shelbyville’s lone point came at No. 1 singles, where Ava Muckerheide defeated Maryrose Felling in a competitive match, 7-6 (6), 6-2. In the sectional championship match later in the evening, Triton Central left little doubt, sweeping Southwestern 5-0 to secure the title. Felling bounced back with a strong 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 1 singles over Kelsey Stringer. Evans continued her outstanding night at No. 2 singles with a dominant 6-0, 6-1 victory, while Zhibek Zhumaly rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 3 singles. The doubles teams were equally impressive in the championship round. Kahler and Collier earned another decisive 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 1 doubles, while Gearlds and Roberts completed the sweep with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 performance at No. 2 doubles. The sectional championship marks another major accomplishment in an already outstanding season for the Tigers, who have now claimed both the Hoosier Legends Conference and Shelby County championships in addition to the sectional title. Triton Central will now prepare for a tough challenge in IHSAA Regional No. 6, where the Tigers will travel to Center Grove on Tuesday evening for a matchup with Center Grove beginning at 5 PM.