Columbus East High School

The Columbus East girls tennis team concluded Hoosier Hills Conference tournament play on Friday with a 5-0 loss to the Jennings County Panthers. The Olympians, who continue to show resilience through a challenging season, were matched against a Panthers team enjoying one of its most successful runs in recent memory. Facing a lineup that has posted consistent results all spring, East was tested across the board. The Panthers secured wins in straight sets in all five positions, including a tightly contested No. 1 singles match between East's Lauren Degner and Jennings County’s top player. Degner battled hard and stayed within striking distance in both sets before falling 6-3, 6-3. At No. 2 and No. 3 singles, Bruna Carreria and Lilli Smith each faced experienced opponents, while the doubles teams of Saya Hauser/Zoe White and Stefani Christopher/Luci Morales worked to stay competitive against aggressive net play from Jennings County. The Olympians now turn their attention to the Columbus North Sectional, which begins next week. Despite a difficult regular season, the team remains focused on growth and bringing their best effort to postseason play. The sectional draw is set for Monday evening, and East hopes to build momentum heading into the tournament.