Columbus North’s Parth Shah and Hank Lin accept the sectional championship trophy from North athletics director Brian Lewis Friday at North.
Ted Schultz | The Republic
Fifth-ranked Columbus North has aspirations of making another run in the boys tennis state tournament this season, and the Bull Dogs took a step in that direction on Friday.
North did not lose a game in four of the five matches in picking up a 5-0 win against Hauser in the North Sectional final. The sectional title was the 13th in a row for the Bull Dogs and their 47th overall, which ranks second in the state behind Munster’s 50.
“Sectional is a good preview for what’s to come,” senior Parth Shah said. “We’re expected to come in and win these matches, and we’re just looking to continue on with each step. We like our chances. We’re looking good.”
The Columbus North boys tennis team won the North Sectional title Friday with a 5-0 win against Hauser.
Ted Schultz | The Republic
North (17-1) will host a regional Tuesday and Wednesday. The Bull Dogs will play Scottsburg in the semifinals at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“We’ve been practicing really hard every day, and the results show,” senior Hank Lin said. “I think our draw this year was pretty lucky, so we get to avoid Center Grove and possibly play them in the (state) finals, which would be pretty good.”
Lin and Shah cruised to quick victories on Friday, beating Hunter Pappano and Kam Blair by 6-0, 6-0 scores at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively. North’s Teddy Littrell topped Colten Hatton 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.
The Bull Dogs also got a 6-0, 6-0 win from Michael Crossman and Sashu Sabapathy against RJ Foster and Jayden Blair at No. 2 doubles.
“They came out and got the job done,” said North assistant coach Robin Cain, who was filling in while head coach Kendal Hammel was at a funeral. “We were pleased. It was kind of a matter of us taking care of business today. They did what we expected of them, as they have all year. We’re hoping to make an impact in the state tournament again this year.”
The most competitive match of the day came at No. 1 doubles, where the Bull Dogs’ Vince Sasse and Yoki Murabayashi fended off a spirited battle from Jentzen Bechtel and Joel Bechtel 6-0, 6-3.
“They put up a big fight, so we’re happy about that,” Hauser coach Andy Kilps said.
The Jets (11-8) had advanced to the final with wins against Columbus East and Edinburgh on Wednesday and Thursday.
“North is a tough opponent,” Kilps said. “They have been for many years, but we’re grateful to win the first two sectional rounds and be in the final. We’re grateful, and I am proud of these guys.”
“Hauser did a great job today and competed well, and congratulations to them on getting to the final,” Cain added.
