By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence got its first across-the-net look at one of the perennial sectional powers. Even after a year away from the court, Bloomington North is still formidable.
The Cougars fought off BNL’s best challenge on the doubles courts and rolled to a 5-0 triumph on Monday afternoon. North dropped only two games in singles to dominate the one-and-one clashes, but the Stars pushed back a little harder in the tandem tussles.
“I know how their singles usually are,” BNL coach Joni Stigall said. “It’s still Bloomington North. We were just playing a better team.”
North swept past BNL on the singles courts. Bella Winkler topped Rachel Kidd 6-0, 6-0 at No.1, Alex Shirley stopped Emily Duncan 6-0, 6-0 at No.2, and Lucy Smith bounced Becca Epping 6-1, 6-1 at No.3.
The Stars were competitive in doubles. Brooke Bailey and Keira Murphy pushed aside Bella Stigall and Mallory Pride 6-4, 6-2 at No.1, while Ellie Bruce and Siggy Force edged Isabelle Alldredge and Kinley Craig 6-3, 6-0 at No.2.
“Our doubles, by sectional time, can turn that around a little bit,” Stigall said. “We didn’t play real well, so by sectional time we can turn those into wins. We’ve never gotten that many games on the doubles courts. I see us doing better than I thought we might.”
BNL (1-2) will visit Bloomington South on Tuesday.
Bloomington North 5, BNL 0
Singles
1 Bella Winkler d. Rachel Kidd 6-0, 6-0
2 Alex Shirley d. Emily Duncan 6-0, 6-0
3 Lucy Smith d. Becca Epping 6-1, 6-1
Doubles
1 Brooke Bailey and Keira Murphy d. Bella Stigall and Mallory Pride 6-4, 6-2
2 Ellie Bruce and Siggy Force d. Isabelle Alldredge and Kinley Craig 6-3, 6-0
