The Eagles came up short Wednesday night to a very talented Mt. Vernon team, which snapped Delta’s 80-match winning streak against Hoosier Heritage Conference competition. The streak dated back to the 2012 season.

As a result of the 4-1 loss, the Eagles handed over the HHC traveling trophy (a wooden racket) to the Marauders at the end of the match.

Mt. Vernon, ranked 13th in the state, has benefitted this season from two additions: a move-in all-state player from Brownsburg and an outstanding foreign exchange student from Italy. The Marauders already returned all seven varsity players from last season, and the addition of the two singles standouts is enabling them to enjoy their best season in school history so far.

Delta, ranked 22nd, also has a strong team with six of its top eight girls back from a year ago.

This night belonged to Mt. Vernon, however.

The lone point for Delta came from the No. 1 doubles duo of Kelsey Vest and Katie Manor, who won 6-0, 6-3.

Gabby Knight played the longest match of the night as she battled All-State player Kylie Brandes for almost two hours at No. 1 singles in the gusty conditions.  Brandes won 6-2, 6-3.

Elizabeth Bamidele started quick against All-State move-in Caroline Allen at No, 2 singles.  Elizabeth led for much of the first 25 minutes before Allen pulled away for a 6-3, 6-0 win.

Italian exchange student Ginni Morelli used her powerful groundstrokes to win over Brylee Beckley at No. 3 singles, 6-0, 6-2.

And at No. 2 doubles, sophomore Rowan Hinds and freshman Alexa Bratton ran into two motivated seniors, Sophie Maxwell and Allie Lockwood, who used their experience to give the young Eagles a 6-0, 6-3 defeat.

In JV action, Mt. Vernon posted a 5-1 victory.  The highlight for Delta came from sophomore Olivia Marshall, who won 8-2 at No. 2 singles over a player who was full-time varsity for Mt. Vernon a year ago.

Wednesday’s match was the annual Teacher Appreciation Day ceremony.  Each Delta player and manager honored a special teacher.  More than 25 teachers were honored in a pre-match ceremony,

Next up for Delta is a road match today (Thursday) against another solid opponent, Alexandria.  The Tigers recently won their sixth consecutive Madison County championship.  Tonight’s match will start about 5 p.m.

MOUNT VERNON 4, DELTA 1

Varsity Singles

1. Gabby Knight lost to Kylie Brandes, 2-6, 3-6
2. Elizabeth Bamidele lost to Caroline Allen, 3-6, 0-6
3. Brylee Beckley lost to Ginni Morelli, 0-6, 2-6

Varsity Doubles

1. Kelsey Vest/Katie Manor def. Carmen Lugo/Ava Lusby, 6-0, 6-3
2. Rowan Hinds/Alexa Bratton lost to Sophie Maxwell/Allie Lockwood, 0-6, 3-6

JV Singles

1. Caitlyn Kirby lost 3-8
2. Olivia Marshall won 8-2
3. Tru Swoboda lost 4-8

JV Doubles

1. Anna Marcum/Marley Dowling lost 6-8
2. Addy Anderson/Audrey Anderson lost 5-8
3. Jocelyn Moody/Mylee Jones lost