Lady Eagles run ends in state quarterfinals

Will Willems, The Lebanon Reporter, Ind.
·2 min read

Jun. 4—CARMEL — A memorable post-season run ended for the Zionsville girls tennis team on Friday afternoon in the IHSAA state quarterfinals.

The Eagles ran into top-ranked Carmel, and fell 5-0.

"I am so proud of the girls and what we did this season," Zionsville head coach Alex Wittenbaum said. "This group set the standard for years to come. We completely changed the culture of Zionsville tennis, and this is always going to be the group that set the foundation of that."

This was the Eagles first appearance in the State Finals since 2010, when the format of the state tournament wasn't what it is today.

While happy with the steps they took as a program, Wittenbaum said facing a team like Carmel shows where the Eagles have to get to as a program.

"It was a great experience to face them in this environment," Wittenbaum said. "We played against the best team in the state, and it gives the girls a taste of where we need to go as a program to get where we want."

At No. 1 singles, Lauren Littell defeated Mia Hayden 6-0, 6-0.

At No. 2 singles, Nora Perkins topped Sudhi Murugesan 6-2, 6-2 and at No. 3 singles, Elyse Nelson topped Zoe Chappell 6-1, 6-0.

At No. 1 doubles, Alea Lewis and Hallie Reeves defeated Natalie Black and Lucy King 6-1, 6-4. At No. 2 doubles, Thea Bertolini and Ali Griffin topped Arya Patel and Brittany Witsken 6-0, 6-1.

"The girls fought until the end and that's a testament to the fight and to the 'Never Give Up' attitude we have preached," Wittenbaum said. "That's going to be an advantage heading into future seasons."

All season girls who played on Friday will be back next season, along with Ellery Walpole — who played in the sectional.

Wittenbaum said that after the experience from this season, he expects the team to be really motivated all off-season.

"This is definitely going to drive the girls all summer," Wittenbaum said. "They're going to push themselves, expand their games and they're going to continue to promote the team atmosphere. That's what drove us to success all year long."

This was Wittenbaum's first season in charge of the Eagles.

He said what he is going to remember the most about the group is the way they were committed from day one.

"There was definitely a culture shift and I am going to remember how they bought into our new system and the way they embraced one another," he said.

Will Willems is the Sports

Editor of the Lebanon Reporter. Follow him on

Twitter @Will_Willems.