News and Tribune

By MATT CRESS

NEW ALBANY — Earlier this week, the Christian Academy of Indiana girls’ tennis team announced itself as a postseason threat with an upset of perennial powerhouse Providence.

On Saturday, the Warriors added an encore.

CAI players advanced to three of the five finals and tied for the championship of the New Albany Invitational. The Warriors scored 36 points and ended in a dead heat with the Pioneers, who claimed two individual titles and likewise made three finals appearances.

The tournament featured squads from a mix of schools ranging from Class 4A New Albany to Class A Borden. The host Bulldogs, who made only one final, were joined in the annual event by Clarksville, North Harrison, Austin, Borden and Henryville.

“It’s great to finish first,” said first-year CAI coach Joe Epkey. “It’s very exciting for our girls.”

With a team of veteran starters, CAI also had third- and fifth-place finishes. The Warriors’ Jenny Ingle and Sally Sturgis teamed up to win the No. 1 doubles title in a head-to-head showdown with Providence, beating Emily DiNoto and Courtney Murphy.

CAI made two singles finals, dropping both to players from Providence. Natalie Winslow fell in the No. 3 singles final, 6-1, 6-2, while the two singles matchup between Ashley Roach and the Pioneers’ Kady Bandy was a nip-and-tuck affair that saw Bandy eventually post a 6-3, 3-6, 10-7 victory. CAI’s Shawna Doty was third in the No. 1 singles bracket.

New Albany was third overall with 30 points, followed by Clarksville (19), North Harrison (17), Austin (14), Borden (11) and Henryville (two).

The Generals notched the championship at No. 1 singles, with Deahna Welcher handling New Albany’s Kylia Sullivan 6-1, 6-1. The two doubles final came down to North Harrison and Austin, with the Cougars taking the crown.

While Providence and CAI feasted, it was a disappointing day for New Albany and longtime coach Bob Dusch, who wasn’t surprised to see CAI at the top of the standings.

“They’re having one of their best seasons ever,” said Dusch. “They’ve just got very good athletes. They keep the ball in play and force you to make mistakes.”

While Sullivan did make the final, Roach knocked off Kylie Crecelius at No. 2 singles in her first match of the day, while Winslow took down New Albany’s No. 3 — Haley Haws — early in the three singles bracket. Both Crecelius and Haws managed to rebound and finish third.

“For not having any higher finishes, ending up third wasn’t so bad,” said Dusch. “We’re a little disappointed. We’re floundering a little right now, but we’ll be OK in a couple of weeks when we get some consistent practices.”