Two teams representing SW Indiana in IHSAA boys tennis state finals
· Yahoo Sports
Southwestern Indiana will be well represented at the IHSAA boys tennis state finals.
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The two-day event, starting Friday, October 16, features No. 9 Jasper and Memorial. Both programs are making their first trip to Indianapolis since 2024.
The Wildcats are taking on No. 3 Center Grove (22-2) in the quarterfinals. The Tigers are taking on No. 6 Delta (22-2). Both matches are at 9 a.m. CT at North Central High School in Indianapolis. The state semifinals are scheduled for 9 a.m. CT Saturday, with the state championship match later that day at 1 p.m.
Jasper ready for top-10 showdown
On its path to the state finals, Jasper won a 21st consecutive sectional and a 15th regional title in the last 16 seasons. The Wildcats won their third semi-state championship in the last four seasons on October 10 in Jasper.
Coach Scott Yarbrough continues to lead high-quality teams.
“I just think we’ve gotten better as the years gone on,” Yarbrough said. “(They’ve) gotten comfortable with our positions. Our doubles team have done a nice job of gelling together. I think our team is about as confident as we’ve been all year.”
Center Grove will certainly be a difficult task. The program’s two losses this season have come against No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern and No. 2 Zionsville, who play each other in another state quarterfinal match Friday.
Still, Yarbrough believes his group has what it takes.
“This one will be more than a neutral court,” Yarbrough said. “Hopefully we can find a way to flip a couple matches and come out victorious on this one too.”
Memorial riding underdog mentality to state
Memorial won its fourth sectional and regional in the last five seasons. The Tigers won their second semi-state championship in the last three seasons on October 10 in Jasper.
Coach Will Hays is in his first season.
“Throughout sectionals, regionals, and semi-state, we knew that every position mattered,” Hays said. “Whether it was No. 1 singles or No. 2 doubles, we knew close matches could come down to any court. It helped to bring the team together and work extra hard on their own court for the team cause.”
Delta is back in the state finals for the first time since 2024. The program’s two losses came against No. 5 Saint Joseph and Hamilton Southeastern.
Hays understands his group is the underdog, but the mentality stays the same in Indianapolis.
“We have to bring our momentum and team first attitude,” Hays said. “We need to leave it all out on the court, win or lose.”
Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @10_Markos_.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Two teams representing SW Indiana in IHSAA boys tennis state finals