The gesture of the night, Leo girls basketball coach Carrie Shappell revealed when it was done, was the raised eyebrow.FORT WAYNE – Last year, Macy Johnson made it to states along with her Homestead teammates.
Johnson is back at a state meet. This time, as a solo act.
The 29th annual singles and 20th annual doubles state tournament begins today at North Central High in Indianapolis.
“It means a lot to me,” Johnson said of the return trip. “I’m glad I pulled it through and have had a good season. I hope I can do it downstate.”
While Johnson will compete in singles competition, sisters Danielle and Elizabeth Maxson of Bishop Dwenger team up for the doubles tournament.
“It means a lot because, one, it’s with my sister and, two, it’s the first time I’ve ever gone this far,” said Danielle, a junior.
Elizabeth is a freshman.
“It’s a really cool experience and to do it with my sister is also good,” Elizabeth said. “We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and we can talk about the next point together and not get mad. The support from everybody has been great. It’s been a fun ride. We’re playing nice tennis, and we’re being competitive together for our school.”
The Maxsons, Bishop Dwenger’s No. 1 doubles team, have a 23-1 record. They face Kristina Kovacich and Vanessa Sepiol of Munster in a first-round match at 10 a.m.
“It’s been fun watching them come together as a team. They are doing wonderful. They seem to be getting stronger and stronger with each match they play,” Dwenger coach Anne Schenkel said. “As Elizabeth says, she’s the set-up player and Danielle is the put-away player. They work really, really well together. They switch up the game when they need to. They catch on quickly to their opponents weaknesses and strengths and use the weaknesses to their advantage.”
Johnson looks to use last year’s experience to her advantage.
She was the only Spartan to win both matches at the 2009 team state final, defeating Taylor Bullock of Terre Haute South (6-4, 7-5) in the semifinal and Mikaela Carlson of Carmel (1-6, 6-1, 6-3) in the championship.
Johnson, the Spartans’ No. 1 singles player, is 20-2 and plays Bethany Moore of Lebanon in a quarterfinal at 2 p.m. today.
“Macy won every match in the postseason last year,” Homestead coach Jim Shull said. “This experience will be good for her. If the cliché is true, you get used to the situation down there. I’m real hopeful.”
