JASPER — The IHSAA girls tennis semi-state featured two teams from Southwestern Indiana: the defending champions Jasper, and a team on the rise in Memorial.
Last year, the Tigers lost to Jasper at semi-state. Emma Dilger, No. 1 singles, used the loss as fuel. In her words, it was not going to happen again.
Dilger was right as Memorial won its semi-state match 4-1 against Providence Saturday, May 30.
“We’ve all worked so hard for this,” Dilger said. “It’s just so exciting to go to state.”
While the Tigers have more to look forward to, it’s been a successful season for Dilger after making a lot of improvements over the offseason. Dilger’s sister, Grace, has been integral to the success of Memorial’s No. 1 doubles unit.
For second-year coach Jacob VanBibber, this was a big hurdle to get through. That does not even account for getting past Castle in the regional finals.
VanBibber expects more hurdles to come for his group as the competition increases in Indianapolis. Still, the program’s first semi-state championship since 2022 signals their ultimate goal of getting to the state championship is near.
Jasper marches on
Jasper has undergone a lot of change from last year with five new faces in the lineup. They have utilized different lineups this season to find what would work.
Every year presents its own challenges, yet still, coach Scott Yarbrough’s group finds a way to excel. That showed itself in Jasper’s 5-0 sweep against Plainfield at semi-state. That is now six-straight state finals appearances for the Wildcats.
Yarbrough has made a concerted effort to manage the emotions of Lila Hawkes, his No. 1 singles player, this season after being No. 3 last season. Yarbrough said while it’s worn on her mentally, the sophomore has embraced the switch exceptionally well.
“It’s been a lot more different than I thought it would be, but it’s been fun,” Hawkes said. “(Yarbrough) really grounds me when I’m in those moments and always knows what to say. I’m really grateful to have a great coach I can look up to.”
Jasper and Memorial are prominent in Indiana and showed exactly why in their respective matches on May 30 at the Wildcats’ home. Memorial and Jasper will kick off the state finals next week on Friday, June 5, at North Central High School in Indianapolis.
The Wildcats and Tigers could meet in the state semifinals on June 6. But both teams’ sole focus is on the state quarterfinals before anything else.
When the two teams did meet last year at semi-state, as the match was going in Jasper’s direction, Yarbrough told VanBibber he thought his team would be good enough to become state champions next year.
After Memorial’s semi-state win this year, Yarbrough congratulated VanBibber during the Tigers’ celebrations. He also shared a short message: See you next Saturday.
“If we get to see (Memorial) in the final four, that means we won on Friday night,” Yarbrough said. “I’m OK with that.”
Jasper 5, Plainfield 0
In the No. 1 singles match, Hawkes won both sets — a common theme of the day. The second game appeared tighter, but Hawkes managed to pull through.
In No. 2 singles, Susanna Kelly won both sets. In No. 3 singles, Lexi Schnarr did the same. Scharr’s first game was won 7-6, and it was Jasper’s closest of the day.
In No. 1 doubles, Adaysha Smiley and Stella Knies won both sets. In No. 2 doubles, Addie Scharr and Caroline Schipp did the same.
Yarbrough said it was as good of a tennis day as the Wildcats have had all season. His experimentation continued at semi-state with athletes positioned in new places. Amid the uncertainty, the questions were answered.
Yarbrough praised his seven seniors, including those out of the lineup, for keeping the group together. Semi-state showed Jasper still has the depth to compete with the best.
Next, the Wildcats will play Carroll (Fort Wayne) in the state quarterfinals.
Memorial 4, Providence 1
In the No. 1 singles match, Dilger won in two sets. The junior won both of her games 6-0.
In No. 2 singles, Emery Folz won both sets. In No. 3 singles, Ella Hurt lost both sets with each being closely decided.
In No. 1 doubles, Olivia Smith and Grace Dilger won both sets. In No. 2 doubles, Charlotte Hungate and Eleni Scordalakes did the same. It has been a strong year for Memorial’s doubles duos.
“The work that these girls put into the offseason, which doesn’t even get seen by us coaches a lot of the times, has really pushed them into that next level,” VanBibber said. “For these girls to use the experience of being in these stages and turning that around into a big win says a lot.”
Next, the Tigers will play hosts North Central in the state quarterfinals.
Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at mtsegaye@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @10_Markos_
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Jasper, Memorial girls tennis advance to IHSAA state finals
Reporting by Markos Tsegaye, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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