For the past 23 years, Delta and Center Grove have developed a competitive regular-season tennis rivalry with both schools almost always in the state rankings.

Center Grove, a school of 2,900 students south of Indianapolis, usually comes out on top.

But Thursday night, Delta knocked off Center Grove 3-2 for its first victory over the Trojans since 2019.  The match was played at the Noblesville HS courts.  It was only the fourth time Delta has won in this matchup in the past 23 years.

Delta, ranked 19th in the state, now has three wins this season over state-ranked teams. The Eagles have beaten Mt. Vernon (ranked 16th at the time of the match), Center Grove (ranked 18th), and Homestead (also ranked 18th at the time of the match).

Junior Rowan Hinds and sophomore Alexa Bratton delivered the big victory on Thursday night.  They trailed 1-4 in the opening set before rallying for a 6-4, 6-2 victory at No. 2 doubles.

No. 1 doubles of senior Kelsey Vest and junior Kate Manor won 6-3, 6-0.

And No. 3 singles Olivia Marshall rolled to a 6-1, 6-2 victory.

Center Grove won the top two singles positions.  Elizabeth Bamidele lost to Sloane Small, 1-6, 1-6, and Brylee Beckley fell to Kenna Harbin, 4-6, 3-6.

Here’s the year-by-year series history between these two teams:

2024 — CG won 4-1

2023 — CG won 4-1

2022 — Match cancelled due to SmashCancer makeup

2021 — CG won 4-1

2020 — Season cancelled due to Covid

2019 — Delta won 3-2

2018 — CG won 5-0

2017 — CG won 4-1

2016 — Match rained out

2015 — CG won 3-2

2014 — Delta won 3-2

2013 — Match rained out

2012 — Delta won 3-2

2011 — CG won 5-0

2010 — CG won 5-0

2009 — CG won 4-1

2008 — CG won 5-0

2007 — CG won 3-2

2006 — Rained out

2005 — CG won 4-1

2004 — CG won 3-2

2003 — CG won 3-2 in the first year of the series

Overall in the series, CG has 14 wins, Delta has 4 wins, and the match has been cancelled 5 times.

 

In Thursday’s JV match, Center Grove gained an 11-6 victory.  The match was highly competitive in most spots.  Highlights for Delta were Stella Sieber with an 8-0 victory at No. 1 singles, Marley Dowling/Avery Gray with an 8-3 won at No. 2 doubles, and Maggie Ratts/Mylee Jones with an 8-7 win at No. 4 doubles.

The Eagles also got wins from Sammi Raleigh/Blaysha Downing, Ryanne Eavns-Bales/Addisen Condie, and Katelynn Preston/Izzy Posey in doubles.

Delta now is 14-2 varsity and 10-2 JV for the spring.  The Eagles will host Mississinewa today (Friday, May 16) at 4:45 p.m., then travel to Mt. Vernon on Saturday morning for a 10 a.m. match against Shelbyville.

Complete Results:

VARSITY

DELTA 3, CENTER GROVE 2

Singles

1. Elizabeth Bamidele (D) lost to Sloane Small (CG), 1-6, 1-6
2. Brylee Beckley (D) lost to Kenna Harbin (CG), 4-6, 3-6
3. Olivia Marshall (D) def. Alejandra Arriz (CG), 6-1, 6-2

Doubles

1. Kelsey Vest/Kate Manor (D) def. Val Arriz/Paisely Carter (CG), 6-3, 6-0
2. Rowan Hinds/Alexa Bratton (D) def. Maggie Teed/Ashley Embrey (CG), 6-4, 6-2

JV

DELTA 6, CENTER GROVE 11

Singles

1. Stella Sieber won 8-0
2. Tru Swoboda lost 3-8
3. Maddi Cox lost 7-8 (5)
4. Maddy Polito lost 0-8

Doubles

1. Anna Marcum/Addy Anderson lost 7-8 (5)
2. Marley Dowling/Avery Gray won 8-3
3. Audrey Anderson/Ella Marcum lost 2-8
4. Mylee Jones/Maggie Ratts won 8-7 (3)
5. Mackemzie Lipps/Avery Barnes lost 0-8
6. Chloe Oliver/Ilicia Ritter lost 4-8
7. Sammi Raleigh/Blaysha Downing won 8-4
8. Ryanne Evans-Bales/Addisen Condie won 8-5
9. Katelynn Preston/Izzy Posey won 7-5
10. Karlie Obenski/Kinley Meekin lost 0-8
11. Emma Lyons/Selah Plummer lost 0-8
12. Shayla Stine/Avery Ayres lost 0-8
13. Emily McElyea/Callie Stotler lost 0-8