The 13th-ranked Delta girls’ tennis team stepped up big Wednesday evening with a 5-0 shutout victory over rival Marion, the state’s 22nd-ranked team.
Delta now has beaten Marion 11 out of the last 14 times that the two East Central Indiana tennis powers have met in girls’ tennis.
The Eagles shut out the Giants last spring in the regional championship match, although several matches were close. Marion returned its full lineup from a year ago, although No. 1 singles standout Kayla Dubuque is out with a knee injury. This time the match was not close at most positions.
A highlight for Delta was the 6-1, 6-3 victory at No. 1 doubles by Grace Belangee and Lexie Manor. They beat a team that was previously unbeaten for the season. The JV match ended in a 5-5 tie.
Delta (9-1) will face Pendleton Heights at 5 p.m. today in a Senior Day match. Seniors will be honored at 4:15 p.m. Delta has eight seniors and three exchange students. The seniors are Lexi Bailey, Grace Belangee, Kortney Helm, Camille Lykins, Lexie Manor, Lauren Milligan, Danielle Polk and Emma Snider.
Then, this weekend on Saturday, the Eagles will play two state-ranked teams. They compete against No. 10 South Bend St. Joseph’s at 10 a.m. at home, then travel to 24th-ranked Fort Wayne Canterbury for a 2 p.m. match.
Results of the Marion match:
Varsity
Singles
1. Ellie Snider won 6-1, 6-0
2. Emma Snider won 6-0, 6-1
3. Tynan Dishman won 6-2, 6-3
Doubles
1. Lexie Manor/Grace Belangee won 6-1, 6-3
2. Mayzie Hinkle/Maggie Manor won 6-4, 6-1
Junior Varsity
Singles
1. Keirsten Bankson lost 4-8
2. Abby Bamidele lost 4-6
3. Corinne Jones lost 2-8
4. Camille Lykins lost 5-6
5. Liv Bradburn won 8-2
6. Jess Snodgrass lost 3-6
Doubles
1. Lauren Milligan / Kortney Helm won 8-2
2. Ryley Bilbrey / Sara Cardemon won 6-2
3. Mary Groover / Dani Polk won 8-3
4. Lexi Bailey / Lily Brannon won 6-2