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Carmel's girls tennis team swept conference rival North Central 5-0 to capture its second consecutive IHSAA state championship on North Central's home courts in Indianapolis.

The top-ranked Greyhounds (21-0) beat the No. 2 Panthers (23-3) for the third time this season when it mattered the most.

It was the second straight championship for Carmel and the fourth in six years. Head coach Mike Bostic has guided the Greyhounds the last two seasons.

Much like they did throughout the season, the Greyhounds swept all three opponents during the state finals, including Floyd Central in the quarterfinals and Park Tudor in the semis. They only gave up four points during the entire season including a pair of 4-1 wins against North Central during the regular season.

No. 2 singles player Lauryn Padgett (23-0) and No. 3 Zoe Woods (23-0) and the No. 1 doubles team of Molly Fletchall and Emma Love (24-0) all finished undefeated seasons. No. 1 singles player Bailey Padgett, last year's state runner-up in the singles tournament, will now play in next weekend's singles tournament remaining undefeated during the post-season.

For the proud North Central program, it was the school's third runner-up finish and first since 1993. They have won a state record 12 championships in school history and it was their first appearance in the final match since 2004. Dan Brunette is the Panthers coach.

Bailey Padgett Named Mental Attitude Award Winner
Following the state championship match, Carmel's No. 1 singles player Bailey Padgett was named the winner of this year's Mental Attitude Award.

A part of three state championship teams, Padgett has held the Greyhounds' top singles spot all four years and finished as the state runner-up in last year's singles tournament. She'll compete in next weekend's singles tournament with an unbeaten post-season record.

She'll continue her tennis career at Butler University next fall where she intends to study International Business. She is the daughter of William and Libby Padgett of Carmel.

Each year the IHSAA Executive Committee selects a senior player who was nominated by her principal and coach and was determined to have best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. The Committee presented $1,000 to Carmel High School's general scholarship fund in the name of Padgett.