By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Broken racket strings, broken heart strings. Both are costly. Bedford North Lawrence, looking to string together consecutive wins, absorbed another tough loss in the final round of the Hoosier Hills Conference Tournament.
In a consolation battle for fifth place in the league, New Albany dominated four courts and rallied from a deep deficit on the final one while posting a 5-0 sweep of the Stars on Thursday. BNL celebrated a birthday, but the setback was not exactly the icing on the cake.
“Another loss, another lesson learned,” BNL coach Ian Dillman said.
The Bulldogs won three matches by 6-0, 6-0 scores. The most competitive match came at No.1 doubles, as New Albany’s Caleb Bradshaw and Cooper Anderson battled back from a 5-2 hole in the second set with the final five games to record a 6-1, 7-5 triumph over Orion Hill and Neal Patel.
“They were a dominant force once again,” Dillman said. “They couldn’t find a groove in the first set, but were able to bounce it back in the second. Unfortunately we gave up a lead. They gave it their all, but once again, a lesson was learned. We have to keep on the gas pedal when we’re up, and we have to use the brakes when things stop going our way.”
New Albany’s Corbin Crone conquered Braxton Fugate 6-0, 6-3 at No.2 singles. All the other matches were swift sweeps. BNL’s Jackson Corey was the birthday boy, but his day went sideways at No.1 singles when his racket strings broke, and the change in weaponry did not help.
“He fought hard against a strong opponent,” Dillman said. “It didn’t make matters better when his strings broke, and he had to use a completely different racket. The slightest change in a racket can have a huge impact on a player’s game.”
The Stars slipped to 3-16.
“My team has fought hard all year long,” Dillman said. “We’ve been on the road majority of our matches, it’s draining. We were pushed to the limit numerous times. No matter the score, no matter the challenge they fought hard. Each day we get better. Their slices, ground stokes and their serves have come a long way. Progress takes time and we have plenty of it.”
BNL will visit Edgewood on Monday.
HHC TOURNAMENT
Consolation round
New Albany 5, BNL 0
Singles
1 Sam Seigel d. Jackson Corey 6-0, 6-0
2 Corbin Crone d. Braxton Fugate 6-0, 6-3
3 Cassius Hall d. Asher Thompson 6-0., 6-0
Doubles
1 Caleb Bradshaw and Cooper Anderson d. Orion Hill and Neal Patel 6-1, 7-5
2 Benton Hamilton and Kingston Pearce d. Micah Carter and Wyatt Corbin 6-0, 6-0
