Norwalk edges Columbian for first place

TIFFIN — The Norwalk High School girls tennis team took a big step in its SBC Lake title defense on Thursday. The Truckers went to Tiffin and claimed a 3-2 win over host Columbian to improve to 6-3 overall and 5-0 in the Lake. Norwalk now leads the Tornadoes (7-3, 3-1) at the halfway point of its league schedule. "All the girls played very well tonight," Norwalk head coach Harry Love said. "There was uncertainty with the weather early on. We drove through rain the whole way to Tiffin. "We didn't let that or anything else distract us, though. We knew going into tonight that there would be many close and competitive matches, and we were right about that." Norwalk picked up wins at third singles and both doubles positions. At third singles, Leksi Jurczuk beat Leah Wahl, 6-2, 6-0. The first doubles team of Aubrey Kluding and Alyssa Gruhlke topped Mia Daniel and Olivia Dotson (6-4, 6-1). Chloe Hazelwood and Riley Helton earned the win at second doubles over Kenzie Felske and Angela Nominee (6-0, 6-4). "Leksi found the style that worked for her and was able to play an outstanding match from start to finish," Love said. "She has really grown a lot in a very short amount of time, and I'm really looking forward to seeing where she goes. "Both doubles teams played great," Love said. "Alyssa and Aubrey are improving as a team every time they step on the court. Their synergy just keeps getting better and with that so will their level. "The same for Chloe and Riley. They shot out to a big lead early, but held on strong when Tiffin started fighting back in the second set." Columbian's Leah Weingart beat Lydia Trost at first singles (6-0, 6-1), while Norwalk's Addy Rospert lost a close match at second singles to Elise Johnson (6-4, 7-5). "Lydia played well against one of the top girls in our area," Love said. "Addy fought really hard for more than a two-hour grind and came up just short, but she left everything out on the court." Norwalk returns to action at home Tuesday against Bellevue. "I'm super proud of how hard the girls played tonight," Love said. "And I know they will continue that trend so the second half of the season is as good as the first." In junior varsity matches, all of Norwalk's players competed and won. That included the teams of Roxy Brummit and Abby Upton (6-3); Nellie Ferguson and Brooklyn Younce (6-5); Libby Lark and Vanessa Vazquez (6-4); Grace Knight and Lily Ware (6-2); Scarlet Schneider and Emmie Leber (6-0); Ella Borgeson and Natalie Wiegel (6-2); Lilly McDuffie and Nora Whaley (6-3); Natalie Morales and Carsyn Swick (6-0); and Valerie Samanao and Miley Gatchsett (6-4).