GIRLS TENNIS: Lewis Cass tops Logansport in early season battle

Apr. 14—Lewis Cass established itself as an early sectional favorite with a 4-1 win over Logansport on Thursday in a girls tennis match at the LHS courts.

The Kings won all four of their points by straight sets.

Erika Johnson defeated Lydia Goad 7-5, 6-4 at No. 1 singles. Katie Hurst defeated Lexi Brown 6-2, 6-0 at No. 2 singles.

The Kings swept the doubles points. Dixie Wagoner and Abigail Hileman defeated Kate Maxson and Cassidy Cuppy 6-4, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles. Guadalupe Gonzalez and Maryn Zeck defeated Chloe Crook and Rylee Zimmerman 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2 doubles.

The Berries' point came at No. 3 singles, where Kate Barber defeated Addison Ousley 6-4, 6-3.

"All the matches were good," Lewis Cass coach Matt Hurst said. "Even when you win it doesn't mean it wasn't a close match. Playing Logansport is always good competition for both sides. It's always a fun match to watch and we really enjoy coming and playing them."

Cass travels to Twin Lakes on Monday, weather permitting. Twin Lakes defeated Logan 3-2 on Tuesday.

For the past several years the Logansport Sectional has been highly competitive between Logan, Cass and Twin Lakes and that appears to be the case again this year.

Twin Lakes is the defending champion but the Indians have lost their returning No. 2 singles player who likely would have played No. 1 this year, Addison Bowsman, who is focusing on AAU basketball this spring.

The Kings have lost their returning No. 1 singles player, Erika Baber, who is focused on her swimming career as she is headed to swim at Easter Illinois following graduating from high school.

The Kings have to replace four starters from last year's sectional lineup from a team that went 11-5 and beat Logansport in sectional play but lost to Twin Lakes later that night in the sectional final. The Indians avenged a championship loss to the Kings from the year before.

The Kings' varsity newcomers were sharp against Logansport. Hurst said his entire team was sharp.

"I'm impressed by all of them. You can't win without everybody out on the court," he said. "I'm happy with how everybody's playing. It's early in the season, so we've still got to work out some kinks and still work on improving things, but so far we're off to a good start."

The Berries have a lot back from a team that went 6-13 last year, which was a five-win improvement from the year before. But they did lose a No. 1 doubles player, Laney Pearson, who moved to Florida, and a No. 2 doubles player, Madison Zimmerer, who chose not to play tennis this year.

Logansport coach Adam Thompson said he has confidence his team has the ability to be a top sectional contender next month.

"Congratulations to Kate for getting that 3 singles win in two sets and not fooling around and making it go to a third, that was good. Lydia at 1 singles has played three really great matches in a row. She's been 6-0, 6-0 the last two matches, played two really good sets tonight," Thompson said.

"Looking at a sectional, I think we can get three points against this team. I think they're the sectional favorite but I think we can improve enough to be in contention when that time comes. I'm feeling pretty good."