GT: #8 Center Grove defeats #25 Roncalli 4-1 to claim regional title

By John Hunt

IUPUI Student Journalist

GREENWOOD – Eighth-ranked host Center Grove defeated No. 25 Roncalli, 4-1, to claim the school’s 15th overall regional title May 26 in the Regional 2 championship.

A year ago, the Trojans were upset by Franklin at home in the sectional title match. This season, Center Grove blanked the Grizzly Cubs 5-0 in the first round of sectional play.

“Last year was a tough loss, but I think the girls rebounded and responded to that well,” said Center Grove coach Debby Burton. “They worked hard over the summer and worked well all season getting themselves to this point.”

Center Grove (16-3) had beaten Shelbyville, 5-0, and Roncalli (13-6) had shut out Owen Valley by the same score May 25 to advance to Wednesday’s final round.

Center Grove won both doubles matches as well as the No. 2 and 3 singles matches. Roncalli senior Marie Kegley defeated Center Grove senior Katie Wyman in a 7-5, 6-3 victory at No. 1 singles.

“They are a tough team, and I had to just leave everything on the court,” Kegley said. “It was a bittersweet win because our team is done.”

Despite having a young team, Roncalli faced several daunting challenges this year. The Rebels played tough matches against difficult schools such as top-ranked Indianapolis Cathedral and No. 17 Greenwood while having only one senior on the team.

“I’m really proud of our team – they all came out and fought hard,” said Loye Kegley, Roncalli coach and sister of senior Marie Kegley. “We gave it our best shot, and we just couldn’t finish it off today.”

The Trojans face Oldenburg Academy (18-2), the Richmond Regional champ, May 29 in a North Central (Indianapolis) Semistate semifinal. The winner will challenge either second-ranked defending (and four-time overall) state champion Carmel (17-1) or six-time champ No. 3 Park Tudor (16-2) for a berth to the June 5 state finals.

Center Grove finished third behind Carmel and No. 5 Terre Haute South (17-0) – the Regional 15 champion at Vincennes Lincoln – in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference Tournament May 8. The Trojans’ dual-meet losses came 4-1 to Park Tudor April 28, 3-2 to Fort Wayne Canterbury April 23, and 4-1 to Carmel April 17.

The Regional 2 results:

2. Center Grove Regional

Match 1 – #8 Center Grove 5, Shelbyville 0

Match 2 – #25 Roncalli 5, Owen Valley 0

Championship – #8 Center Grove 4, #25 Roncalli 1

CHAMPIONSHIP: #8 Center Grove 4, #25 Roncalli 1

Singles

No. 1: Marie Kegley (Roncalli) def. Katie Wyman 7-5, 6-3

No. 2: Emily Jones (Center Grove) def. Macey Speer 6-3, 6-3

No. 3: Jamie Claeys (Center Grove) def. Lauren Webb 6-0, 6-1

Doubles

No. 1: Sarah Richert/Diane Jones (Center Grove) def. Kati Austin/Alex Servie 6-0, 6-3