COLUMBUS – Southwestern pulled out two three-set matches while edging Bedford North Lawrence 3-2 in the IHSAA regional semifinal at Columbus North on Tuesday.
The Rebels (16-5) advanced to face Columbus North (a 5-0 winner over East Central) in the regional final on Wednesday.
BNL posted wins at No.1 doubles and No.2 singles, but Southwestern pulled out three-set wins in two singles matches to advance to the championship. Southwestern has never won a regional title, while Columbus North (the defending champion) is seeking its 25th in program history.
“It’s hard when you’re not expected to be there, but disappointing when we could have won,” BNL coach Joni Stigall said. “It was a tough loss.”
BNL’s Izzy Alldredge and Kenley Craig conquered Raygan Crawford and Ava Barnes 6-2, 6-1 at No.1 doubles and earned a spot in the IHSAA individual doubles state tournament. They will play on Thursday against an opponent to be determined.
Ava McKinney swept to a 6-0, 6-0 win at No.2 singles.
The Rebels posted key wins in singles as Natalie LaRue rallied to top Jessie Faubion 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 at No.1, and Annie Ford fought off Nadia Anderson 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 at No.3. Southwestern’s Kaylee Hite and Joceleyn Johnson defeated Meryl Klein and Emma Conover 6-3, 6-1 at No.2 doubles.
IHSAA REGIONAL
Semifinal at Columbus North
Southwestern 3, BNL 2
Singles
1 Natalie LaRue, SW d. Jessie Faubion 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
2 Ava McKinney, BNL d. Emma Hatton 6-0, 6-0
3 Annie Ford, SW d. Nadia Anderson 2-6, 6-1, 6-1
Doubles
1 Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldredge, BNL d. Raygan Crawford and Ava Barnes 6-2, 6-1
2 Kaylee Hite and Joceleyn Johnson, SW d. Meryl Klein and Emma Conover 6-3, 6-1
