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Second-ranked Carmel survived a tough semifinal encounter and went on to defeat previously undefeated Homestead, 4-1, to capture the 2009 IHSAA Girls Tennis team championship at North Central High School in Indianapolis.

The Greyhounds (19-1) claimed a 3-2 victory over fourth-ranked Munster (18-2) in the morning round before sweeping both doubles matches and taking two of three singles duels in the state championship match. Courtney Wild’s 6-3, 7-5 victory over Homestead’s Jade Johnson proved the clinching point in the best-of-five format.

It was the 93rd IHSAA state championship in all sports for Carmel, its fourth this school year and fourth in girls tennis (1989, 1990, 2003). Each girls tennis title has come with Sharon Rosenburgh coaching the Greyhounds.

Carmel’s Susie Chen and Sara Rodefeld, both juniors, completed a perfect 17-0 campaign at No. 2 doubles, including a 6-1, 6-2 win over Homestead’s Kate Bienz and Theresa Sciole in the final. Megan Renninger and Olivia Trancik of Carmel defeated Suzie Reecer and Tiffany Schendel of Homestead, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 1 doubles and Elizabeth Trancik of Carmel took out Homestead’s Samantha Rahrig, 6-4, 6-3, at No. 3 singles.

Homestead’s lone point came at No. 2 singles where Macy Johnson turned away Mikaela Carlson, 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.

The Spartans (19-1), led by coach Jim Shull, had topped No. 5 and previously unbeaten Terre Haute South by a 3-2 count in the semifinals for their spot in the final match. The school was playing for the championship for the seventh time but has never come away with the crown.

Carmel had knocked off top-ranked and four-time defending state champion Park Tudor, 3-2, in last weekend’s semi-state championship match to earn a spot in the state finals. The win denied Park Tudor of its quest for a state record fifth consecutive title.

Munster topped Terre Haute South (21-2), 4-1, in the consolation match.

Also of note was Munster No. 1 singles player Mary Hill who became the winningest girls singles player in state history when she captured her 101st victory in the morning round, a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Wild. She added a 102nd win in the consolation match and stands 102-1 in her four seasons as a Mustang heading into next weekend’s state singles tournament.

Munster's Mary Hill Named Mental Attitude Award Winner
Following the state championship match, members of the IHSAA Executive Committee announced that Mary Hill of Munster High School was the winner of this year’s Mental Attitude Award in Girls Tennis.

The award is presented annually to a senior participant in the state finals who was nominated by her principal and coach and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.

Hill has helped lead Munster to four consecutive state finals appearances including runner-up finishes in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The Mustangs finished third on Saturday.

During the morning semifinal round, Hill became the winningest girls singles player in state history capturing her 101st victory. She finished her freshman and sophomore years unbeaten, finished third in state singles as a junior and is currently undefeated as a senior with next week’s state singles tournament looming.

Hill has been an A/B Honor Roll student at Munster in three of her four prep years. She plans to study Marketing and Economics at Coastal Carolina University.

She is the daughter of Stephen and Sheila Hill of Munster.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Munster High School in the name of Hill.