CULVER ― The top-ranked Carmel High School boys tennis team has faced many tests this season on the courts.
The undefeated Greyhounds have aced them all, including another one provided by No. 6 South Bend Saint Joseph Saturday, Sept. 20.
The pair of powers clashed at the fabulous Gable Tennis Center on the Culver Academies campus, with Carmel picking up a 4-1 win.
The Greyhounds, who were playing their fifth match in the past five days, improved to 15-0. The Huskies dropped to 11-2 with their only other loss also coming at Culver Academies to the No. 5 hosts by a 3-2 count on Sept. 13.
The two teams could see each other again back at CMA for the semi-state on Oct. 11. The pairings for the state tourney series are set for Monday, Sept. 29, and both teams will be heavy favorites to win sectional and regional championships. The semi-state matchups will be known when the draw is held.
Carmel, sporting three seniors its seven-man lineup, simply had too much for the Huskies. The Greyhounds lost 3-2 to Brebeuf in a regional semifinal match in 2024. Brebeuf went on to defeat Saint Joe, 5-0, in the state semifinals a season ago before winning the state championship.
The Huskies, who have just one senior in their lineup, picked up a win at No. 2 singles. Star sophomore Oliver Hix beat senior Andrew Kim 6-4, 6-2 in the final match to finish. Hix prevailed in the 2:15 minute match despite dealing with issues on the bottom of his feet. The match saw a short delay with Hix up 2-1 in the second set to get some treatment for his feet.