BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington South won a three-set thriller and took advantage of Bedford North Lawrence’s illness misfortune to pull out a 3-2 victory over the Stars during girls high school tennis action on Tuesday.
The Panthers won a tight match at No.2 singles, and got a crucial point when BNL’s No.1 doubles team had to retire because of illness, as the Stars came agonizingly close to a first-ever win in the series.
South’s Brooke Liao battled past BNL’s Ashlyn Wever (who was substituted into the lineup after Nadia Anderson went down with a knee injury during Monday’s match) by a 7-5, 1-6, 6-4 count to determine the outcome.
“We were that close to beating South,” BNL coach Joni Stigall said. “That close . . .
“Wever stepped in and played her heart out. I cannot be even a little disappointed with her match. I’m actually so proud of her. She played better than I’ve seen her play ever before. She is heartbroken but has no idea how well she did.”
South won No.1 doubles when BNL’s Bella Stigall suffered a severe asthma attack and was pulled off the court in the first set.
“She kept saying she could play, but as it went on, she started really laboring to breathe,” Stigall said of her daughter. “I told them (including partner Mallory Pride) I was pulling them and they weren’t happy, but immediately Bella went into an attack. She could in no way keep playing.”
South’s third point came at No.1 singles as Maddie Santner edged Becca Epping 6-1, 6-3.
The Stars won as No.3 singles with Italy Lewis conquering Hannah Vandeventer 6-4, 7-5, and they posted a win at No.2 doubles with Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldredge recording a 6-3, 6-3 win over Anna Fedderson and Audrey Wu.
“Italy did her job,” Stigall said. “That’s what we expect from her. She has a good serve and good strokes. We talked about the ‘want to win’ and she went and did that. Our 2 doubles played so well as always. I really didn’t watch them too much from trying to help our singles players and dealing with Bella. I trust them completely. I think I talked to them one time about their net play and they just go do what we talk about.
“I have no doubt that, if things were different with that 1 doubles court today, we would have gotten our first victory against South. It stings, but maybe we can get it at the sectional. I’m proud of that fight and this team.”
The Stars (3-3) will host Linton on Thursday.
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 3, BNL 2
Singles
1 Maddie Santner, BS d. Becca Epping 6-1, 6-3
2 Brooke Liao, BS d. Ashlyn Wever 7-5, 1-6, 6-4
3 Italy Lewis, BNL d. Hannah Vandeventer 6-4, 7-5
Doubles
1 Caitlin Heim and Riley Walker, BS d. Bella Stigall and Mallory Pride, retired
2 Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldredge, BNL d. Anna Fedderson and Audrey Wu 6-3, 6-3
