NLC Showdown Goes To NorthWood

In a clash of contenders in the Northern Lakes Conference girls golf race, NorthWood hosted Wawasee and Northridge Thursday at McCormick Creek. Needing to count every stroke, NorthWood remained undefeated in round robin play with a 179 while Wawasee carded 182. Northridge struggled on the Nappanee layout, shooting 250.

NorthWood, ranked No. 16 in the state, are now 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the NLC. Wawasee drops to 9-2 overall and 3-2 in the NLC.

Leading the way for NorthWood was Heidi Morganthaler with a 40, followed by Linnzie Richner at 42. Wawasee had a career-best nine-hole score of 42 from Kylee Rostochak and a 45 from Mikala Mawhorter.

“We played a team that has been state-ranked this year to a close finish on their home course,” said Wawasee head coach Steve Coverstone. “It is always tough to lose, but we played very well.”

Wawasee will get back at it next Wednesday with a home meet against Culver Academy, a 4:45 p.m. first tee.

Spikers Keep Winning

Wawasee needed to work a bit, but came through with a 25-15, 25-17, 25-22 win over visiting Bethany Christian in varsity volleyball.

Alli Ousley continued her consistent play, posting 19 assists, eight digs and three aces to lead the Lady Warriors, now 8-1 this season. Hunter Gaerte had 15 digs, six kills and two aces while Aly Anderson added 23 digs. Paige Hlutke chipped in seven kills.

Bethany’s junior roster got the best of Wawasee 19-25, 25-23, 15-13. Ashley Beer had 14 digs and three aces for Wawasee, now 5-3 on the season. Tia Long added 11 assists and four kills.

The Lady Warriors will host Manchester next Tuesday.

Tennis Continues To Beat Up On NECC

Wawasee has won three boys tennis contests this season, and all three have come against Northeast Corner Conference opponents. The latest was a 3-2 win at West Noble Thursday afternoon in Ligonier.

Picking up ‘W’s for the Warriors were Kyler Love at one singles and Todd Hauser at two singles, along with the one doubles team of Dylan Houser and Chase Myers.

Love beat Tyler Rothhaar love and two while Hauser grabbed a two and three result on Jared Swank. The duo took care of Ryan Kendall and Quinn Graff one and two.

West Noble’s Josh Gaff beat Cal Heinisch three and love at three singles while the Charger two doubles team of Grant Moser and Jacob Musselman took care of Doug Hapner and Jake Hutchinson one and two.

In JV courts, Wawasee’s Luke Smith beat Luke Moore 8-3 and Nate Haines dropped Tyler Clouse 6-3 in the lone Warrior results. West Noble won the remaining seven courts.

Wawasee (3-2) will next face Whitko in South Whitley next Tuesday, first serve at 4:30 p.m.