Jasper and Memorial Girls Tennis Teams Advance to State Finals

JASPER — The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) girls tennis semi-state showcased two formidable teams from Southwestern Indiana: the reigning champions, Jasper, and the rising squad from Memorial. After falling to Jasper at last year's semi-state, Memorial's Emma Dilger, the top singles player, was determined not to let history repeat itself. Her resolve paid off as Memorial triumphed over Providence with a score of 4-1 on Saturday, May 30. “We’ve all worked so hard for this,” Dilger expressed. “It’s just so exciting to go to state.”

For Dilger, this season has marked significant personal growth, particularly with the support of her sister, Grace, who plays a key role in the No. 1 doubles team. Second-year coach Jacob VanBibber sees this victory as a major milestone, having also led the team past Castle in the regional finals. He anticipates more challenges ahead, especially with the level of competition intensifying in Indianapolis. Nevertheless, securing their first semi-state championship since 2022 brings them closer to achieving their goal of competing for the state title.

On the other side, Jasper has undergone considerable changes, including five new players in their lineup. Coach Scott Yarbrough has experimented with different combinations throughout the season, leading to impressive results. Jasper achieved a commanding 5-0 win against Plainfield in their semi-state match, marking their sixth consecutive appearance in the state finals. Yarbrough has focused on helping Lila Hawkes, his No. 1 singles player, manage her new role following a successful season as the No. 3 player. “It’s been a lot more different than I thought it would be, but it’s been fun,” Hawkes noted, appreciating Yarbrough’s guidance during tough moments.

Both teams demonstrated their prowess on May 30, setting the stage for the upcoming state finals on Friday, June 5, at North Central High School in Indianapolis. A potential rematch between Jasper and Memorial could occur in the state semifinals on June 6, although both teams are prioritizing their initial quarterfinal matches. Last year, as Jasper was taking control of their semi-state match, Yarbrough told VanBibber that he believed his team would have what it takes to be state champions the following year. After Memorial's recent victory, Yarbrough congratulated VanBibber and added, “If we get to see (Memorial) in the final four, that means we won on Friday night. I’m OK with that.”

In their respective matches, Jasper secured a flawless victory over Plainfield, with Hawkes, Susanna Kelly, and Lexi Schnarr all winning their singles matches. The doubles teams also performed well, contributing to the comprehensive win. Meanwhile, Memorial's Dilger dominated in her singles match, and both doubles teams delivered strong performances, demonstrating the hard work and dedication they have invested throughout the season. Next up for the Wildcats is a quarterfinal matchup against Carroll from Fort Wayne, while Memorial will face North Central.