How Central girls tennis pulled together this spring after storms damaged its courts

EVANSVILLE — A major curveball was thrown at Central High School's girls tennis team last month.

Not long after the Bears held a scrimmage on their home courts, severe storms rolled through Southwestern Indiana, especially on the North Side of town. Central's baseball field sustained damage and so did the tennis courts. The fence overlooking First Avenue collapsed and a couple of the poles were bent over at the ground.

Central coach Cory Sills' first concern after the storm hit was getting his players ready considering he didn't know if they could play any home matches. The players were devastated by the damage, especially the five seniors. There was also serious jeopardy if the seniors would ever play another match at Central again.

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"We were really upset and sad that this could be our senior year and not ever get to play a home match," Zoee Robinson said. "The seniors talked to our athletic director a lot. We tried to stay on them to get our fence fixed."

"It was sad and it was bittersweet," Isabel Smith added. "But at least we still got a season in. It wasn't like our season didn't happen."

The players missed heading to other athletic events at the school when their matches ended and seeing fans in the stands. But it didn't matter where Central would play and have practice. It was still going to compete and make things work.

The Evansville tennis community rallied to support in any way they could. As repairs were being done, the Bears practiced at various places, from the Evansville Tennis Center to North and Mater Dei High Schools.

"I can't speak enough about the coaches in the Southern Indiana area," Sills said. "I think we're pretty tight-knit and we're willing to work together to make a lot of things happen for these girls. And I'm just glad to be a part of it."

Central returned to practice on First Avenue two weeks after the storms hit and finally hosted its "home opener" last Thursday against Bosse, which was also Senior Night. Emotions ran high as the Bears defeated the Bulldogs. Robinson and her junior sister, Sydnee, also made their home debut in No. 1 doubles.

"It was a lot," Robinson said. "Central tennis has been a big part of my life. They've given me a family and (I've) been really close with these girls. It was really sad to finally take it all in (and) that it's coming to an end, but I'm also glad that I've been able to play these girls."

Central still has much to look forward to as the postseason nears. The Bears hope to highlight one of their best seasons in program history with their first sectional title since 2007.

Sills commends his team for the way they rose above adversity.

"I don't think they could have done much better," he said. "They really pulled together. They're great students (and) just great kids in general. It turned out to be good, and it's because of those kids. They're a phenomenal group."

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA girls tennis: Central responds after storm damage to courts