Notre Dame tennis team learns in loss to Kennett

The rivalry between the Kennett Indians and Notre Dame Bulldogs girls tennis teams has continued to carry on each season.

The Indians cruised to a 7-2 win over the Bulldogs on Tuesday at Notre Dame High School, winning the second meeting between the teams this season by an identical score.

"It's a great win," Kennett coach Janet Hilburn said. "We still have things we need to work on and get better at, but we are big rivals. Any time you can win against Notre Dame, it's a nice win."

Despite the team loss, Notre Dame junior Carly Hopkins closed out the day by defeating Kate Shetley 8-2 in the No. 1 singles match.

Bulldogs coach Donna Ryan said Hopkins, who commutes each day from Marion, Illinois, is an inspiration to each player on her squad.

Notre Dame’s Mia Kinder talks with coach Donna Ryan after after she and her No. 2 doubles partner, Sylvia Kolda, dropped their match to Kennett on Tuesday at Notre Dame High School.GLENN LANDBERGglandberg @semissourian.com

"Carly has no problem winning. She beats their No. 1 and No. 2 player no matter what order they put them out there," Ryan said. "She is quiet and unassuming, nothing braggart about her at all. She's there to help everybody."

Hopkins, who has played on state-tournament qualifying doubles teams the last two years, has learned to properly utilize a loopy ball that travels deep into the court with top spin. Ryan calls it "the Carly ball."

"She's taught it to every player she's played with," Ryan said. "The younger girls are picking it up, so it's become a feature of the Notre Dame team."

Hopkins and teammate Maddie Walker were able to knock off Kennett's Kate Shetley and Heidi Shetley 8-3 in the No. 1 doubles match.

In the No. 2 doubles match, the Indians' Hadley Hilburn and Alexa McPherson defeated the Bulldogs' Sylvia Kolda and Mia Kinder 8-1, while Notre Dame twin sisters Julia and Taylor Kohlfield dropped an 8-1 decision against Kennett's Kara Heeb and Anna Beth Williams to close out doubles play.

Notre Dame’s Carly Hopkins returns a shot during her No. 1 doubles match wtih partner Maddie Walker against Kennett’s Kate Shetley and Heidi Shetley. Hopkins and Walker won 8-3.

Featuring one freshman and three sophomores, Ryan said she wanted her team to be more competitive against the Indians (6-0), who the Bulldogs (3-2) have yet to defeat in the four-year history of their program.

"We keep kind of gaining ground on them very slowly," Ryan said. "I think my team is a very strong team because even my freshman and sophomores are very good players, but Kennett just comes in and blows us away every time."

Walker dropped an 8-1 decision against Hadley Hilburn in the No. 2 singles match, while Heidi Shetley knocked off Kolda 8-1 in the No. 3 singles match. Heeb defeated Grace Powderly 8-1 in the No. 4 singles match, McPherson topped Taylor Kohlfield 8-1 in the No. 5 singles match and Williams held off Julia Kohlfield 8-2 to conclude singles play.

"The girls are pretty evenly matched. We've got a strong lineup. They worked hard in the offseason," Hilburn said. "It was hotter today, hotter than we expected. Just getting out and playing and being aggressive, I'm always glad that we're able to do that."

Ryan is stressing growth and improvement as the team moves forward. She challenged them to attack the Indians with a different approach Tuesday.

Notre Dame's Maddie Walker returns the ball during the #1 doubles match against Kennet High School Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 9, 2014 at Notre Dame High School. (GLENN LANDBERG)

"I asked them to experiment and do some things that were a little out of their comfort zone, and across the board, my girls did that," Ryan said. "I said, 'Don't worry about winning or losing points. ... Try something different against this kind of offense,' and they did. I'm really pleased with them for doing that."

Notre Dame's JV team moved to 3-0 with an 8-1 victory over Kennett.

SINGLES

No. 1 -- Carly Hopkins (ND) def. Kate Shetley 8-2

No. 2 -- Hadley Hilburn (K) def. Maddie Walker 8-2

Notre Dame's Julia Kohlfeld returns the ball on a volley against Kennett High School during the #3 doubles match Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 9, 2014 at Notre Dame High School. (GLENN LANDBERG)

No. 3 -- Heidi Shetley (K) def. Sylvia Kolda 8-1

No. 4 -- Kara Heeb (K) def. Grace Powderly 8-1

No. 5 -- Alexa McPherson (K) def. Taylor Kohlfield 8-1

No. 6 -- Anna Beth Williams (K) def. Julia Kohlfield 8-2

DOUBLES

No. 1 -- Hopkins/Walker (ND) def. Shetley/Shetley 8-3

No. 2 -- Hilburn/McPherson (K) def. Sylvia Kolda/Mia Kinder 8-1

No. 3 -- Heeb/Williams (K) def. Kohlfield/Kohlfield 8-4

JV -- Notre Dame 8, Kennett 1