Around the horn
September 14, 2021 at 8:44 p.m.
Around the horn
By Will Fehlinger-
The Lady Wildcat golf team had a strong showing at the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference meet Saturday, hosted by East Central at Grand Oak Golf Club. FC placed second among seven schools with Greensburg out due to Covid issues. Batesville won comfortably with a score of 362 and Emma Weiler’s MVP performance of 71. The Cats were next at 391, placing four girls on the all-EIAC team.
Nicole Mears was 4th with 92, followed by Crystal Calihan at 96 for 5th place, Kelsie Brackney in 9th by shooting 101 and Lillie Graf carding 102 for the last spot in the top 10. Jacy Grimmeissen also toured with a 108.
The sectional is this weekend at Richmond’s Elks Club.
Boys team seeking wins
FC’s boys soccer team lost to South Dearborn 10-4 on Sept. 7, surrendering 6 goals before halftime and four more after the pause. Logan Heeke had a hat trick for the Knights and Camdyn Dausch added 2 goals.
On senior night Monday, the Cats celebrated strikers Juan Simancas and co-captain Jayden Taylor, but one goal wasn’t enough to get by Centerville. The visiting Bulldogs had goals from Jake Erbse and Rylan Schuerman.
FC hosts Rushville Monday.
Wildcats improving on courts
Franklin County boys tennis lost a home conference match last Tuesday to Batesville, the Bulldogs pulling out the 4-1 victory.
No. 1 Jack Stirn stayed unbeaten on the season after topping Cael Rahe 6-0, 6-2. The Cats were not as fortunate at the other spots as two games were all FC could manage. Nick Wendel lost to Jaden Smith 6-0, 6-0 and Ty Bruns and Avery Crouch had the same result at 2 doubles against Alec Bunselmeier and Sam Johnson. Garrett Kuntz fell 6-1, 6-0 to Lyle Oesterling at No. 3 singles. Avery Harrison and Trevor Bruns lost 6-0, 6-1 to Cole Pride and Jackson Tracy. Tyson Rosenberger and Elijah Dean lost 8-1 in reserve doubles.
FC came closer to a win the next night, edged by visiting Cambridge City Lincoln 3-2. Stirn was joined in winning by Wendel; the former won 6-0, 6-1 while the latter triumphed 6-2, 6-4. Kuntz fell 6-0, 6-3; Harrison/Tr. Bruns lost 6-0, 6-0 and Ty Bruns/Crouch took a 6-1, 6-4 defeat.
Another 3-2 loss followed Monday to Milan. Stirn had no problem, winning 6-0, 6-0, and Wendel made it two straight by taking a 6-4, 6-2 bout. Kuntz fell 6-1, 6-0. In doubles, Harrison/Tr. Bruns battled to a 6-2, 6-4 loss and Ty Bruns/Crouch fought to a 6-3, 7-5 defeat.
Lady Cats bounce back
The FC girls soccer club faced a tough foe Sept. 7 in conference rival South Dearborn, only losing by a 2-0 margin. The Lady Knights played their typical brand of physical soccer, racking up a total of 15 fouls to the Wildcats’ 7.
“The defense started a touch slow but became tenacious, fast and efficient, playing with integrity and grit,” said coach Cindy Adams.
The coach lauded junior co-captain Maddie Merritt as the MaxPreps Player of the Match, her back line mate Claudia Mauntel (senior co-captain), as well as rookies Paige Ashcraft, Audrey Weaver and freshman Mackenzie Brzezinski for solid 1v1 skills.
Only 34 seconds had ticked off the clock before SD landed a goal. The guests punched another one in at 13:49 of the first half, courtesy of Bernadette Wismann.
Junior keeper Maegan Pearson had 14 saves, her third double-digit effort of the year. Senior Jordan Nichols fired off 2 shots as Halee Barker, Erica Weaver and freshman Madesyn “Power” Sunderhaus each had 1.
FC had some numbers and fatigue issues the next day vs. Milan, the match ending in a 1-1 tie. The Cats put 11 shots on goal, with Sunderhaus (Player of Match) finding the back of the net off Nichols’ assist. Nichols, double-teamed, still got 6 shots off; Kamryn Dozier and Bethany Melugin each tried 3 and Kaitlyn Brunemann, Lily Knapp and Kylee Bolser getting 1 each.
Adams credited Brzezinski for stepping up as sweeper, as well as midfielders E. Weaver, Melugin, Morgan Stewart for good field vision and Ashcraft, Lillian Ralph, Bolser and Knapp for good energy. Pearson picked up 6 saves.
FC faced a strong Batesville squad Saturday and lost narrowly, 2-1. Three years ago, the Bulldogs had 31 shots on goal – this year, only 13. The Cats were also more efficient on offense this time around; Nichols had 2 shots on goal and a penalty kick that knotted things briefly at 1-1 in the second half. Dozier, Melugin and Ralph had single shots at the target. Late, the Cats lost position on the goal’s backside during a BHS corner kick.
Pearson kept FC in the game with 11 saves. Player of the Match Merritt anchored the back line along with Mauntel, as Brunemann, A. Weaver, Brzezinski, Ashcraft and junior Dani Bulach helped. Flanking the outside were Sunderhaus, Bolser and Barker.
Monday vs. Centerville, a scoreless match at half was broken open by FC as the Wildcats won 4-0. A Nichols PK opened scoring, followed by a Dozier PK. Pearson came out of goal to assist Dozier on the third goal and later scored one herself. Pearson and Liz Wendel combined for the shutout. Dozier, part of 24 shots on goal for FC, was selected Player of the Match for her unselfish play.
Defense was solid again with just 3 shots on goal allowed. E. Weaver, Melugin, Sunderhaus, Stewart, Bolser and Ralph did well in the possession game; Adams also praised the forward Barker and Bulach for striking excellent corner kicks.
Volleyball update
Franklin County varsity volleyball fought with host Centerville point for point last Tuesday evening, eventually falling 18-25, 25-20, 25-20, 19-25, 16-18.
“Both teams had very strong servers,” said coach Jill Mergenthal, “but it really came down to set 4 when we struggled with serve receive.”
Meredith Hoff had 2 aces, 5 kills, 2 solo blocks, 1 assist and 4 digs. Kassidy Schell had 3 aces, 12 kills, 11 assists and 22 digs. Saige Mergenthal had 2 aces, 4 kills, 1 solo block, 1 assist and 6 digs. Hadlee Hornsby added 1 ace and 9 digs. Kacie Williams had 9 assists and 6 digs while Lauren Stacy had 2 kills, 2 assists and 8 digs. Kensee Ferman had 2 kills and 4 digs. Veronica Reeves posted 1 kill, 1 solo block, 1 assist and 2 digs and Kylie Lea had 7 digs.
The girls won a 5-set thriller over Milan at home the following day, winning 25-19, 25-17, 21-25, 19-25, 15-8. The Wildcats were ready early, serving and hitting well to take the first two sets. Milan tied things up, setting up the race to 15.
“Going into a set 5, we always try to have the mindset of ‘fight’ and we did for sure,” said Mergenthal. S. Mergenthal served 9 straight points (4 aces) to go up 10-1. “This was just another of those proud coach moments that made the win sweeter than the others,” said the mentor.
Mergenthal had a team-high 7 aces, adding 5 kills, 1 solo block and 1 dig. Schell had a team-best 16 kills, 2 aces, 1 solo block, 4 assists and 9 digs. Hornsby led the squad in digs with 13 and Williams in assists with 11.
Williams added 8 digs and Hornsby an ace and kill. Stacy posted an assist and 5 digs and Lea 6 digs. Hoff collected 6 kills, a solo block, 2 assists and 3 digs. Reeves tallied 2 kills, 1 dig and 2 assists. Ferman hit 4 kills. Stephanie Billman had 7 digs.
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The Lady Wildcat golf team had a strong showing at the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference meet Saturday, hosted by East Central at Grand Oak Golf Club. FC placed second among seven schools with Greensburg out due to Covid issues. Batesville won comfortably with a score of 362 and Emma Weiler’s MVP performance of 71. The Cats were next at 391, placing four girls on the all-EIAC team.
Nicole Mears was 4th with 92, followed by Crystal Calihan at 96 for 5th place, Kelsie Brackney in 9th by shooting 101 and Lillie Graf carding 102 for the last spot in the top 10. Jacy Grimmeissen also toured with a 108.
The sectional is this weekend at Richmond’s Elks Club.
Boys team seeking wins
FC’s boys soccer team lost to South Dearborn 10-4 on Sept. 7, surrendering 6 goals before halftime and four more after the pause. Logan Heeke had a hat trick for the Knights and Camdyn Dausch added 2 goals.
On senior night Monday, the Cats celebrated strikers Juan Simancas and co-captain Jayden Taylor, but one goal wasn’t enough to get by Centerville. The visiting Bulldogs had goals from Jake Erbse and Rylan Schuerman.
FC hosts Rushville Monday.
Wildcats improving on courts
Franklin County boys tennis lost a home conference match last Tuesday to Batesville, the Bulldogs pulling out the 4-1 victory.
No. 1 Jack Stirn stayed unbeaten on the season after topping Cael Rahe 6-0, 6-2. The Cats were not as fortunate at the other spots as two games were all FC could manage. Nick Wendel lost to Jaden Smith 6-0, 6-0 and Ty Bruns and Avery Crouch had the same result at 2 doubles against Alec Bunselmeier and Sam Johnson. Garrett Kuntz fell 6-1, 6-0 to Lyle Oesterling at No. 3 singles. Avery Harrison and Trevor Bruns lost 6-0, 6-1 to Cole Pride and Jackson Tracy. Tyson Rosenberger and Elijah Dean lost 8-1 in reserve doubles.
FC came closer to a win the next night, edged by visiting Cambridge City Lincoln 3-2. Stirn was joined in winning by Wendel; the former won 6-0, 6-1 while the latter triumphed 6-2, 6-4. Kuntz fell 6-0, 6-3; Harrison/Tr. Bruns lost 6-0, 6-0 and Ty Bruns/Crouch took a 6-1, 6-4 defeat.
Another 3-2 loss followed Monday to Milan. Stirn had no problem, winning 6-0, 6-0, and Wendel made it two straight by taking a 6-4, 6-2 bout. Kuntz fell 6-1, 6-0. In doubles, Harrison/Tr. Bruns battled to a 6-2, 6-4 loss and Ty Bruns/Crouch fought to a 6-3, 7-5 defeat.
Lady Cats bounce back
The FC girls soccer club faced a tough foe Sept. 7 in conference rival South Dearborn, only losing by a 2-0 margin. The Lady Knights played their typical brand of physical soccer, racking up a total of 15 fouls to the Wildcats’ 7.
“The defense started a touch slow but became tenacious, fast and efficient, playing with integrity and grit,” said coach Cindy Adams.
The coach lauded junior co-captain Maddie Merritt as the MaxPreps Player of the Match, her back line mate Claudia Mauntel (senior co-captain), as well as rookies Paige Ashcraft, Audrey Weaver and freshman Mackenzie Brzezinski for solid 1v1 skills.
Only 34 seconds had ticked off the clock before SD landed a goal. The guests punched another one in at 13:49 of the first half, courtesy of Bernadette Wismann.
Junior keeper Maegan Pearson had 14 saves, her third double-digit effort of the year. Senior Jordan Nichols fired off 2 shots as Halee Barker, Erica Weaver and freshman Madesyn “Power” Sunderhaus each had 1.
FC had some numbers and fatigue issues the next day vs. Milan, the match ending in a 1-1 tie. The Cats put 11 shots on goal, with Sunderhaus (Player of Match) finding the back of the net off Nichols’ assist. Nichols, double-teamed, still got 6 shots off; Kamryn Dozier and Bethany Melugin each tried 3 and Kaitlyn Brunemann, Lily Knapp and Kylee Bolser getting 1 each.
Adams credited Brzezinski for stepping up as sweeper, as well as midfielders E. Weaver, Melugin, Morgan Stewart for good field vision and Ashcraft, Lillian Ralph, Bolser and Knapp for good energy. Pearson picked up 6 saves.
FC faced a strong Batesville squad Saturday and lost narrowly, 2-1. Three years ago, the Bulldogs had 31 shots on goal – this year, only 13. The Cats were also more efficient on offense this time around; Nichols had 2 shots on goal and a penalty kick that knotted things briefly at 1-1 in the second half. Dozier, Melugin and Ralph had single shots at the target. Late, the Cats lost position on the goal’s backside during a BHS corner kick.
Pearson kept FC in the game with 11 saves. Player of the Match Merritt anchored the back line along with Mauntel, as Brunemann, A. Weaver, Brzezinski, Ashcraft and junior Dani Bulach helped. Flanking the outside were Sunderhaus, Bolser and Barker.
Monday vs. Centerville, a scoreless match at half was broken open by FC as the Wildcats won 4-0. A Nichols PK opened scoring, followed by a Dozier PK. Pearson came out of goal to assist Dozier on the third goal and later scored one herself. Pearson and Liz Wendel combined for the shutout. Dozier, part of 24 shots on goal for FC, was selected Player of the Match for her unselfish play.
Defense was solid again with just 3 shots on goal allowed. E. Weaver, Melugin, Sunderhaus, Stewart, Bolser and Ralph did well in the possession game; Adams also praised the forward Barker and Bulach for striking excellent corner kicks.
Volleyball update
Franklin County varsity volleyball fought with host Centerville point for point last Tuesday evening, eventually falling 18-25, 25-20, 25-20, 19-25, 16-18.
“Both teams had very strong servers,” said coach Jill Mergenthal, “but it really came down to set 4 when we struggled with serve receive.”
Meredith Hoff had 2 aces, 5 kills, 2 solo blocks, 1 assist and 4 digs. Kassidy Schell had 3 aces, 12 kills, 11 assists and 22 digs. Saige Mergenthal had 2 aces, 4 kills, 1 solo block, 1 assist and 6 digs. Hadlee Hornsby added 1 ace and 9 digs. Kacie Williams had 9 assists and 6 digs while Lauren Stacy had 2 kills, 2 assists and 8 digs. Kensee Ferman had 2 kills and 4 digs. Veronica Reeves posted 1 kill, 1 solo block, 1 assist and 2 digs and Kylie Lea had 7 digs.
The girls won a 5-set thriller over Milan at home the following day, winning 25-19, 25-17, 21-25, 19-25, 15-8. The Wildcats were ready early, serving and hitting well to take the first two sets. Milan tied things up, setting up the race to 15.
“Going into a set 5, we always try to have the mindset of ‘fight’ and we did for sure,” said Mergenthal. S. Mergenthal served 9 straight points (4 aces) to go up 10-1. “This was just another of those proud coach moments that made the win sweeter than the others,” said the mentor.
Mergenthal had a team-high 7 aces, adding 5 kills, 1 solo block and 1 dig. Schell had a team-best 16 kills, 2 aces, 1 solo block, 4 assists and 9 digs. Hornsby led the squad in digs with 13 and Williams in assists with 11.
Williams added 8 digs and Hornsby an ace and kill. Stacy posted an assist and 5 digs and Lea 6 digs. Hoff collected 6 kills, a solo block, 2 assists and 3 digs. Reeves tallied 2 kills, 1 dig and 2 assists. Ferman hit 4 kills. Stephanie Billman had 7 digs.
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