TENNIS: Lady Truckers defend Norwalk Invitational title

The Norwalk girls’ tennis team defended its Norwalk Invitational title as the tournament wrapped up Monday with the final matches at Norwalk Middle School.
The Lady Truckers scored 44 points for the top spot.
Edison placed fifth with 17 points.
Clyde took second with 32 points, followed by Bellevue 28 and Oak Harbor 23. Mansfield checked in sixth at 11 points.
For Norwalk, Jaclynn Hipp at second singles and Jacqueline McClune third singles both finished first.
Attaining second were Olivia Kasten at first singles, Caleigh Ott and Hali Sindlinger first doubles and Allison Loden and Ashley Truxell second doubles.
“I am so proud of the ladies for getting to the finals at all positions,’’ Lady Truckers coach Chris Higgins said. “Olivia encountered a tough final against (Ashley) LaFountain from Oak Harbor who won a match down at state last year.  Jaclynn breezed through her entire bracket impressively by only losing a single game.  Jacqueline McClune showed a great deal of determination by winning her bracket after several long matches this week. 
“Both doubles teams continue to show improvement as they made it to the final  but were outlasted by a Clyde doubles team,’’ the coach added.
Clyde received firsts from Shelbe Gibson and Mariaha Bloom at first doubles and Amanda Cahill and Spencer Robles second doubles; second Maria Gerber second singles; fifth Erin Gerber third singles and fifth Sara Potts first singles.
Catherine Wilson led Bellevue with a second at third singles.
Also for the Lady Red, Opheila Whitmore was third at first singles; Emily Wallingford third second singles; Jessica Brown Brown and Tanya Posey third second doubles and Cassidy Pugh and Brianna Wolfe fifth first doubles.
In addition to LaFountain’s win, Julia Konieczny and Katie Mehlow posted third at first doubles; Brittlyn Grodi fourth third singles; Logan Bohnsen and Hannah Birchall fifth second doubles and Jessica Hymore sixth second singles.
For Edison, Sam Imus was third at third singles; Sammie Jamison fourth first singles; Amy Salmons and Rachel Wallace fourth second doubles; Karyn Schmidt fifth second singles and Mallory Kiley and Danielle Rasey sixth first doubles.