June 12, 2010
MISHAWAKA MARIAN PLAYER, CARMEL DOUBLES TEAM WIN TENNIS TITLES
Mishawaka Marian’s Caroline Eberhart and the Carmel team of Susie Chen and Sarah Rodefeld captured the singles and doubles state championships, respectively, at Five Seasons Sports Club in Indianapolis on Saturday.
Eberhart, a sophomore rallied for a three set victory in the semifinal round before beating Lebanon sophomore Bethany Moore, 6-2, 6-0, in the state championship match. Eberhart (27-1 overall, 8-0 state tournament) was blanked in the first set of her semifinal match with Evansville Memorial freshman Macie Elliott but came back to win 0-6, 7-5, 6-4. She became the first player from her school to win a tennis state championship after finishing fourth in last year’s event as a freshman. Moore (27-2 overall, 9-1 state tournament) also was a state finalist in 2009.
Chen and Rodefeld, both seniors, finished a perfect 29-0 this season (10-0 state tournament) after beating South Bend St. Joseph’s juniors Elle Harding and Bridget Veldman (25-4 overall, 10-1 state tournament), 6-4, 6-4. They became the fourth Carmel doubles team to win the state title and the third in the last eight years. Harding and Veldman helped lead St. Joseph’s to the team state championship one week ago.
Saturday’s final two rounds had been scheduled to be played at North Central High School but early morning rain forced the matches indoors.