NORTH VERNON

One more win, and the Seymour High School boys tennis team makes history.

The Owls defeated Jennings County 4-1 on Wednesday to advance to the finals of the Hoosier Hills Conference Tournament finals.

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The Owls (11-3) will have their hands full in the championship match, as they will go to fourth-ranked Floyd Central on Friday. Floyd blanked Jeffersonville 5-0 in the other semifinals match Wednesday.

It’s the first time Seymour has made it to the championship since the 2010. They have never won an HHC crown.

Against Jennings, the Owls swept the singles positions.

Adam Berry topped Thomas Schuler 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, Isaac Hardin took No. 2 over Kyle Tempest 6-0, 6-2 and Braden Handloser closed the door 7-5, 6-0 at No. 3 versus Chad Gasper.

“With Adam and Issac, they took charge right away,” Seymour coach Brad Emerson said. “Issac was a good frontrunner tonight. Adam has been a frontrunner all year for us, but Isaac didn’t extend his match. He led and was motivated to finish.

“I’m really happy with Braden. This was a big match for him. He’s played in a couple varsity matches, but to play in an HHC tournament match with what we had riding on the line was huge. I think that will give him a lot of confidence.”

The Owls’ final point came at No. 2 doubles, as the team of Sam Schmidt and Andrew Levine won 6-4, 6-1 against Wyatt St. John and Joe Kelley.

The Panthers’ lone point was at No. 1 doubles with Kent Biehle and Weston Miller posting a 6-4, 6-4 win against Will Rinehart and Brandon Hubbard.

“No. 2 doubles got up and then finished it off in the second,” Emerson said. “No. 1 doubles just didn’t have it. There was a lack of footwork and aggressiveness, and it cost them.”

Emerson said the Owls will need to minimize mistakes against Floyd.

“We need to go in and play our game,” he said. “We need to understand they will be good and hit out on our shots. All of the boys just can’t do more than what they’re capable of. If our doubles stays aggressive and hits through our shots, I think we will compete pretty well with them.

“We will need Adam and Isaac. They will face some top-notch opponents. I think we’re a good little team. We’re going to give it a fight and see what happens.”