CHESTERTON | After sharing the Duneland Athletic Conference title with Valparaiso and Michigan City last year, Chesterton is keeping it all to itself this time.
The Trojans (13-2) defeated LaPorte 4-1 on Thursday to wrap up the top spot in the DAC with a perfect 7-0 record.
"I think they came ready to play. I think they realized that this was going to be the last DAC match," Chesterton coach Gretchen Shinn said. "Hopefully, that was some motivation for them today, just realizing we could wrap up the DAC undefeated.”
The night’s quickest match was at No. 2 doubles where Chesterton’s Rachel McCrum and Amanda Susnak won 6-0, 6-0 against LaPorte's Cari Hughes and Lauren Sterling in a match that lasted only an hour.
"They really did a good job," Shinn said. "They were off the court first, and I have to say they looked really comfortable and confident at the net. They were moving forward and volleying very well. That was wonderful to see."
Chesterton's No. 1 and 2 singles lost a combined two games. Bobbi Modesto defeated Caroline Boger 6-0, 6-2, while sister Meg Modesto swept Alison Searle 6-0, 6-0.
"I’ve got to give it to Chesterton, they have a lot of depth. Their No. 1 and No. 2 singles are a big combo right there, and their No. 1 doubles are really strong as well," LaPorte coach Melissa Pfeifer said. "They’re a tough team, and my girls tried as best as they could to stay with it and fight out there."
Chesterton's Margaret Shinn and JJ Lee only dropped one game at No. 1 doubles, winning 6-1, 6-0 against Kayla Wurster and Morgan Sandelski.
"Hopefully, we can take the momentum with us (through the rest of the season)," Shinn said. "We beat all the teams in the sectional; it’s really hard to beat teams twice in a season. Portage and Valpo, we've already beat them but we don’t want to be too confident because I can honestly say that we don't want to take them lightly."
LaPorte (8-6, 3-4) managed its only win at No. 3 singles in a two-hour match that featured long points between Hannah Barden and Sunny Lee. Barden lost two games, defeating Lee 6-1, 6-1.
"Hannah's been doing well for us, she’s had a lot of match play and a pretty steady number three," Pfeifer said. "She’s a reliable player for us, and she did a great job for us staying mentally focused and closing out that match."
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