INDIANAPOLIS — It ended just like it began for the Mt. Vernon Marauders, with Hamilton Southeastern.
The two schools, separated by just eight miles, met in the state tennis tournament on Tuesday, a regional semifinal match played at North Central High School.
The Marauders, without a home this season, were helped out by Hamilton Southeastern. They made the trek from Fortville to Fishers every day to practice at Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate/Junior High, using the middle school tennis courts and football fields.
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“We knew we had a home,” Mt. Vernon coach Gabe Muterspaugh said. “That became our home.”
That made a huge difference. Mt. Vernon accepted the challenge of becoming road warriors and went on a run, finishing 17-2 in the regular season and setting up a friendly clash in the tournament with the very program that lent them a helping hand.
Things came full circle for both teams on Tuesday. In the end, the Royals ended a historic season for Mt. Vernon, knocking off the Marauders, 5-0.
“Fitting. A fitting finale. Wish we could have knocked them off, but it was fun,” Muterspaugh said. “It just seemed like one of those seasons where everything kind of lined up for them to be battling with us, and it was a great battle. They’re a very good team, and I’m friends with their coach.
“We couldn’t have been more appreciative, and I can’t thank them enough. They are part of our success this year.”
Mt. Vernon jumped out to an early 1-0 lead at all three singles positions on Tuesday, with Declan Mast, Chris Hays and Reece Powell all starting strong, but the Royals quickly gained control from there.
The HSE doubles teams started strong and pulled away from the Mt. Vernon duos of Justin Lemke and Jackson Dunlavy at No. 1 and Owen Koon and Dallas Turner at No. 2.
The Royals went on to win all five positions in two sets.
The loss ends Mt. Vernon’s season at 17-3, which is a school record for wins on the boys side. They finally snapped long droughts and won both county and sectional championships this season.
Not bad for a team without a home.
“Before the season, it was a blank slate. We had no idea,” Muterspaugh said. “We got everyone to buy in. When you buy in, and you’re all for a common goal, and it’s kind of an us against the world mentality … nobody thinks we’re going to be able to do this. We set the world on fire. I’m really, really proud of my seniors. They led us to the promised land.”