Jasper —
It was only fitting Saturday afternoon that seniors Emma Bilyeu and Mallory Metheny would be deciding the Jasper Semistate high school tennis match between Terre Haute South and Evansville Memorial.
Not only were the members of the Braves’ No. 1 doubles team bearing the weight of their team’s advancement — or not — to the state finals on their shoulders, their own seasons were on the line in the individual doubles tournament. And their own play — characterized more by grit and determination and perseverance than by flawless execution — had typified their team’s showing all morning.
“It takes three [points] to win it,” coach Bill Blankenbaker said, after Bilyeu and Metheny had polished off their Memorial rivals 6-2 in that third set to win the match, “and it was nice to have Mal and Em out there for that last match.”
“This may have been the first time we’ve had the court like this, with all eyes on us,” said Metheny after the win, indicating she and Bilyeu didn’t really mind the attention.
“By that time, we’re not focused on other [teammates’] matches,” added Bilyeu. “We don’t normally need the crowd, but you’ve got to love ‘em.”
The third set was easy by comparison for the South duo, who have lost just once all season and not at all in postseason play, perhaps because for a change they took an early lead.
After having leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 at the first three changeovers of the first set, Bilyeu and Metheny lost three of four games to fall behind. They won the 12th game to set up the tiebreaker, however, and dominated it by winning the first four points on their way to a 7-2 decision.
In the second set, Bilyeu and Metheny fell behind 4-1. They crept back within 5-4, then won two games in a row — taking a 6-5 lead in an 11th game that went to deuce three times — only to give up four quick points in a row to drop the 12th game. Memorial’s team of Anne Mogavero and Elizabeth Wilm won the tiebreaker 8-6, getting four of its last five points.
By that time the crowd was forming. Memorial had taken a 1-0 lead when Macie Elliott defeated South’s Eesha Purohit in straight sets in a little over an hour; the Braves had won the next two points — Jacqualynn Bogle and Lexi Summers at No. 2 doubles at the 90-minute mark, Maddie Kesler at No. 3 singles less than five minutes later; and Memorial forged the 2-2 tie when Rachel Swartwood outlasted South’s Taylor Bullock at No. 2 singles even though Bullock had won a 6-0 second set.
Bogle and Summers, not used to being so quick off the court, proved to be unsung heroes for their team Saturday. On a day in which three of the five matches were back-and-forth, see-saw affairs, their domination had to do wonders for their team’s morale. In the regular-season match between the two that was shortened by rain with no decision, the Bogle-Summers team had been down a set.
“I feel like we played really well,” Summers said after Saturday’s match.
“We had to focus on every point,” added Bogle. “[The Tigers] had a new player since we played them … we picked on weaknesses we thought we could attack.”
The early finish turned Summers and Bogle into cheerleaders for their teammates, a role they haven’t played often — at least this year.
“I’ve been the alternate [player for postseason matches] for three years now,” said Bogle. “I really would rather play.”
At the same time, they said, they could identify with Bilyeu and Metheny in the latter stages of the match. “We know what it’s like to go three [sets] with everybody counting on you,” said Summers.
Usually South’s first cheerleader is Kesler, who likes nothing better than to finish her match in a hurry. And against Memorial’s Brenna Wu on Saturday, that strategy worked for awhile — Kesler’s 6-1 decision was the first set to be completed.
Wu was using every trick she knew to slow the pace of the match, however, and won two straight games early in the second set to set up leads of 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4 at changeovers. At 5-4, 40-15 Wu was serving with two set points in hand.
“She really played well,” Kesler said of Wu afterward. “Even in the first set, all the games were close — but I knew I didn’t want to go into three [sets]. I knew for the sake of my team I needed to get off the court.”
Kesler fought off those match points in the 10th game of the second set, then won it and the next two to win her match. From a nutritional standpoint, it was a good thing she did, she added.
“I’d already pulled out the Mountain Dew,” Kesler said. “By the third set, I’d have been crashing.”
The resilience of his players — across the board — was one of the things Blankenbaker liked best, he said after the match.
“They all played great,” the coach said. “They just never gave up; every game they fought back.”
The No. 2 singles match that tied the team score was in the books well before the second set at No. 1 doubles was finished. But after Mogavero and Wilm kept themselves and their team alive by winning that tiebreaker, South’s four-year doubles teammates gave themselves a pep talk.
“We were saying when we were sitting down [before the third set], ‘We have to get on top early,’ ” Metheny said later.
“Just relax, play like we know how, and get up early,” Bilyeu agreed.
“We know what we’re capable of,” said Metheny.
South took a 1-0 lead in that third set with a service break, only to have the Tigers break back. Bilyeu and Metheny were back ahead 2-1 on a third straight service break, this one completed by back-to-back double faults, and then took what might have been their first two-game lead of the entire match when Metheny held service at love.
The Memorial duo was proving to be less adept at playing from behind than it had been with a lead, and South got another service break for a 4-1 lead. The Braves squandered some of that advantage by losing the next game, but came back from love-30 for a fourth consecutive service break and a 5-2 lead before Metheny served out the match in a set that lasted less than a half hour.
South’s victory was almost one-sided compared to the other match Saturday morning between 10th-ranked Columbus North and ninth-ranked Floyd Central. It also came down to a 2-2 tie and a three-set match, this at No. 1 singles between senior Caroline Hedrick of Columbus — usually an automatic point for the Bull Dogs after placing second, first and second in state singles tournaments in her first three seasons — and freshman Olivia Boesing of the Highlanders. With a 6-3 lead in the third-set tiebreaker, Boesing had three match points, only to lose 9-7 — the point that put Hedrick ahead 8-7 coming on a delay-of-match penalty when Boesing went down with cramps, both players having used up their allotted injury time earlier in the match.
Yes, it was a good day not to have to return for a second match.
South’s victory sets up a Friday afternoon match for the 18-0 Braves against sixth-ranked Highland, also unbeaten, in the first round of the new eight-team state finals.
“OK, we’re going back,” Blankenbaker said. “There’s nothing better [than playing in the state finals] … I’m happy for the team.”
Terre Haute South 3, Evansville Memorial 2
Singles — Macie Elliott (EM) def. Eesha Purohit 6-2, 6-0; Rachel Swartwood (EM) def. Taylor Bullock 6-4, 0-6, 6-3; Maddie Kesler (THS) def. Brenna Wu 6-1, 7-5.
Doubles — Emma Bilyeu-Mallory Metheny (THS) def. Anne Mogavero-Elizabeth Wilm 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (6-8), 6-2; Jacqualynn Bogle-Lexi Summers (THS) def. Claire Church-Alexa Cox 6-3, 6-2.
Next — South (18-0) plays Highland at 3 p.m. Friday in the state finals at Park Tudor. Evansville Memorial finished 13-1.
Top Story 4
Related Photos
-
Celebration: Terre Haute South teammates surround Mallory Metheny (partially obscured) and Emma Bilyeu (facing camera) after the Braves’ No. 1 doubles team came up with a third-set victory that enabled South to beat Evansville Memorial 3-2 Saturday at the Jasper Semistate. The win sends South to the state finals Friday at Park Tudor. Photo submitted
Discussion
South tennis heading back to state
No. 1 doubles team helps Braves take care of Evansville Memorial at Jasper Semistate
- Top Story 4
-
-
Terre Haute native, Rose grad a member of Robonaut 2 development team
Terre Haute native and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology alumnus Kris Verdeyen has taken one small step forward for robotics through February’s launch of the first human-like robot to space to become a permanent resident of the International Space Station.
-
Boot Camp: Deming students prepare for next week's ISTEP test
Do you know the difference between a “hanger” and a “hangar”? Can you quickly solve 9 x 7? Can you write a well-organized essay?
-
Red Cross shelters offer warm place for families
This is not the first time Dorothy Deverick of Terre Haute has needed emergency shelter provided by the Wabash Valley Red Cross.
-
Patriots fall 3-1 to Hamilton Southeastern in 4A softball title game
No, the Terre Haute North vs. Hamilton Southeastern softball game at Ben Davis High School will not end later than the World Cup soccer tournament. That seemed possible after the two high school teams played a half inning Saturday night when inclement weather postponed the contest and they returned to the same field Monday night to play into the bottom of the fourth inning before heavy rain struck again.
-
IHSAA Class 4A softball championship: Patriots’ game postponed after nearly 4 innings
The Indiana High School Athletic Association seemed to get it right Monday night.
Although the Terre Haute North softball team and its many fans will be inconvenienced by yet another trip to Ben Davis for the Class 4A state championship — 5 p.m. today, everyone hopes — the postponement Monday at the midpoint of the title game against Hamilton Southeastern couldn’t be avoided. -
ISU's Hutson reflects on fourth NCAA pole vault championship
Kylie Hutson thrives under pressure. She proved that again, capping one of the greatest athletic careers in the history of Sycamore athletics.
-
Riverton Parke softball looking for redemption at state
Nobody from the Riverton Parke softball team used the word “revenge” this week when discussing Saturday’s opponent in the Class A state finals at Ben Davis’ field in Indianapolis.
-
Country star Josh Gracin to top summer music lineup at Fairbanks Park
Music on the riverside is nothing new in Terre Haute.
The concept, carried out most often at the Fairbanks Park amphitheater on the banks of the Wabash River, hit high gear during the past decade. Nationally known artists such as Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, America, Monkees lead singer Davy Jones, The Association, Gary Puckett and Sawyer Brown all took the stage during festivals there. It’s also home to the Terre Haute Community Band on selected nights each summer. -
GOP taps opponent to face Kersey
Lacking a primary election candidate, the Indiana State Republican Party elected Alan Morrison in a June 7 caucus to run against incumbent Rep. Clyde Kersey, D-Terre Haute, in the Nov. 2 general election for House District 43.
-
North first, followed by South, Northview at golf sectional
Terre Haute North’s boys team had been playing its best golf at the end of the season, and the Patriots reached a record peak Monday in the Owen Valley Sectional played at Rolling Meadows.
-
Plaque honors legacy of Mordecai ‘Three-finger’ Brown
Fred Massey sat amid the small crowd with pride, remembering stories his uncle had told him.
“I’ve got a lot of fond memories of him coming over to our house,” the 85-year-old Massey said of his great-uncle, Mordecai “Three-finger” Brown. -
Dramatic rally for South tennis at State Finals
Anyone looking for the low point of the Terre Haute South girls high school tennis season could have found it slightly before 4:30 p.m. Friday at Park Tudor.
-
Retiring Vigo County teacher looks back on career
As his final day of teaching drew to a close, Honey Creek Middle School teacher John Treager received a group hug from several of his sixth-grade students.
-
David Behrs believes his tenure at The Woods College as been successful
David Behrs believes much has been accomplished during his three-year tenure as president of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College.
-
North Central softball pounds out 15 hits, gets four-hitter from Scott to reign in Class A regional
Scoring a run an inning brings about a high probability of placing a softball team in the victory column. Tacking on a three-spot in the sixth inning as insurance also helps the probability factor for winning. North Central did the former in the game’s first four innings, assuming a 4-0 lead, and the latter in the sixth inning to apply the coup de grace.
-
RAMBLIN' RECK: Franchitti’s strong team helped lead to 500 victory
Another Indianapolis 500 is history and we now have another multi-race winner in the event.
Dario Franchitti won because he had a fast car — “It was a hand full, but it was a fast hand full,” he said — and because his team did a good job on the pit stops and in managing race strategy. -
South tennis heading back to state
It was only fitting Saturday afternoon that seniors Emma Bilyeu and Mallory Metheny would be deciding the Jasper Semistate high school tennis match between Terre Haute South and Evansville Memorial.
-
Redevelopment commission acquires more of former Coke & Carbon plant site
A brownfield site that once housed the former Terre Haute Coke & Carbon plant will soon be under the single ownership of the Terre Haute Redevelopment Commission.
-
Indiana State University eyes possible large enrollment growth
Freshman enrollment at Indiana State University could increase substantially this fall, based on some promising indicators in applications and admissions to-date.
-
Wabash Valley has no shortage of ways to get involved in gardening
So you like to get your hands dirty? Does the smell of fresh dirt make you say “aaahhh!”? It’s the time of year when many Wabash Valley residents begin thinking of gardening. And it’s fitting.
-
Low vision assistance showcased at Expo
A statewide network of support agencies gathered in Terre Haute on Wednesday, showcasing their offerings for those with disabilities.
-
CBI Tournament: ISU can’t get out of gate against SLU
The Indiana State men’s basketball program waited nine long years to play a postseason game.
The wait to see how competitive the Sycamores would be in their postseason return didn’t take nearly as long. Saint Louis dominated ISU from the opening tip and cruised to a 63-54 victory in the opening round of the College Basketball Invitational at Chaifetz Arena on Tuesday. -
New circulation director brings passion for industry to Tribune-Star
Josh Harmon spent 15 years working in the circulation department at the Champaign News Gazette.
Now, he’s bringing his experience – and enthusiasm – to the Tribune-Star, where he began his duties Monday as the new circulation director. -
Terre Haute once built 'finest minor league baseball park'
Only a select few saw Memorial Stadium from Ernie Woods’ vantage. Under the summer sun, he roamed the outfield for the Terre Haute Phillies in 1950. The ballpark turned 25 years old that season.
-
City Council passes ‘responsible bidder’ ordinance
The Terre Haute City Council voted narrowly Thursday night in favor of an ordinance imposing new standards on contractors seeking city construction projects.
-
Robinson’s goal: Bring home an Illinois Class 2A title
Robinson’s runner-up finish in the IHSA single-class tournament in 1916 is the school’s best boys basketball finish.
-
State bound: Robinson handles Decatur St. Teresa 81-60
Meyers Leonard put a huge exclamation point on Robinson’s first trip to the IHSA state finals since 2002 and first ever in the three-class system at the 2A level.
-
Retired ISP trooper Herb Jones jumps in sheriff’s race
A retired Indiana State Police trooper has entered the race as a Republican candidate for the office of Vigo County sheriff.
- ISU baseball opens Bob Warn Field with doubleheader split
-
Newly-formed Christian alternative band gaining attention
Group receives VIP invitation to audition for 'America’s Got Talent' TV show
- More Top Story 4 Headlines
-
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Astronauts Enter World's 1st Private Supply Ship
Today in History
Shell Readies Arctic Drill Ship
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Passenger Restrained on Flight to Miami Arrested
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office
Dragon Arrives at Space Station in Historic 1st
Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing
Raw Video: Wildfire Burns 110 Square Miles
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Wild weather for Memorial Day weekend
Inspiration for the class of 2012
Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3"
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
Hurricanes and Heat Waves Across America
Kristen Stewart Is Red Hot
Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat
Bradley out for playoffs
Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
