Columbus East High School

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus East girls tennis team saw its team season come to a hard-fought conclusion on Thursday in the semifinal round of the IHSAA Tennis Sectional at Columbus North High School. The Olympians battled fiercely but ultimately came up short, falling to the Greensburg Pirates by a score of 4-1. With the loss, Columbus East concludes its team campaign with a much improved record for the Spring 2026 season. However, the season isn't entirely over for the orange and brown, thanks to a spectacular, hard fought performance at the top of the lineup. Degner Shines at No. 1 Singles The highlight of the day for the Olympians belonged to senior Lauren Degner. Playing at No. 1 singles, Degner showcased incredible resilience after dropping a close first set. She rallied back to capture the next two frames, securing a thrilling 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory. By winning her match while the team fell, Degner successfully advanced into the IHSAA individual tournament postseason, keeping her stellar senior singles campaign alive. Pirates Standardize Control Across Remaining Courts: Greensburg proved tough to break across the rest of the scorecard, controlling the remaining singles and doubles flights to secure their spot in the sectional championship. No. 2 Singles: East’s Olivia De Barro fought hard but ultimately fell in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3. No. 3 Singles: Bruna Carreira dropped her match against a sharp Pirates opponent, 6-0, 6-1. No. 1 Doubles: The duo of Ava Tartt and Audrey Bush put up a strong effort but came up short, falling 6-3, 6-2. No. 2 Doubles: Stefani Christopher and Zoe White battled directly but were defeated 6-2, 6-0. A Heartfelt Thank You to the Seniors: While the team tournament road ends here, the Columbus East tennis program extends its deepest gratitude to the graduating seniors. Led by veteran players like Lauren Degner, this senior class has provided immense leadership, poise, and spirit to the program. Thank you, seniors, for your hard work, dedication, and the proud legacy you leave behind on the Olympian courts. Your impact on this program will be felt for seasons to come!