SELLERSBURG — The Silver Creek girls’ tennis team held off West Clark rival Borden to win the Silver Creek Sectional championship on Friday, 3-2.

It was the Dragons’ 19th sectional title in program history and their 10th championship in a row. Silver Creek will face New Albany in the semifinals of the Floyd Central Regional at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

“We noticed in the paper about New Albany’s sectional championship streak and Jeffersonville winning their third in a row,” Dragons’ head coach Robert Briscoe said. “At Silver Creek High School, we find that to be just as big of a mark for our program.”

Silver Creek captured the top two spots at singles against the Southern Athletic Conference champion Braves. At No. 1 singles, sophomore Kat Hebble defeated Borden senior Erin Mikel, 6-1, 6-3. At two singles, Dragon senior Kristen Haeberlein upended Braves’ senior Allison Rademacher, 6-1, 6-1.

The Silver Creek No. 1 doubles team of senior Rain Hopkins and sophomore Jenny Block knocked off Borden’s Sarah Hurst and Erika Frascella, 6-1, 6-3.

“The key was playing our brand of tennis,” said Briscoe, who praised the performances of his seniors. “We knew it would be a fight against Borden today.”

Borden sophomore Abby Ellis defeated Morgan Sharp at No. 3 singles, 6-3, 6-1. At two doubles, the Braves’ tandem of Paige Kruer and Morgan Mast beat Silver Creek’s Katy Hawkins and Rebekah Knittle, 6-1, 6-3.

Briscoe expects a competitive regional next week.

“Everytime we run into a match with New Albany, Jeff or Floyd, it’s anybody’s match to win,” he said.



FLOYD CENTRAL SECTIONAL

• Highlanders cruise to another sectional crown: Third-ranked Floyd Central only dropped four games to roll to its 25th sectional championship in program history, beating North Harrison in the Floyd Central Sectional final 5-0. It was the Highlanders’ 12th sectional title in a row.

Floyd Central got 6-0, 6-0 victories from Olivia Boesing at No. 1 singles and Chelsea Shackelford and Kadey Welch at No. 2 doubles.

At No. 2 singles, the Highlanders’ Carmen Schreiber knocked off Allison Goldman, 6-0, 6-1. Floyd Central’s No. 3 singles player Dana Frank also won 6-0, 6-1.

At No. 1 doubles, the Highlander pair of Whitney Batliner and Katherine Dauby dispatched Tina Dukes and Lexi James, 6-1, 6-1.

“What can I say? I’m very pleased,” Floyd Central head coach Rick Miller said. “I’ve got to give them an A today. We were calm and in control. We’ve been building this dream team for three years. This is the most-talented set of girls to ever step on the court around here.”

The Highlanders will face Jeffersonville in the semifinals of the Floyd Central Regional at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Floyd Central have beaten the Red Devils twice this season, both by 5-0 scores.

Miller says his players are only focusing on one thing right now — a state championship.

“We are only talking about a state title,” Miller said. “We aren’t done yet.”