Drew Hubbard had an outstanding senior season and career playing on the girls’ tennis team at Trinity Lutheran High School.

This spring was her second season playing at No. 1 singles, and she won 18 matches before losing to Tatum Brown of Jennings County in the individual singles at Columbus North High School.

In the Bedford North Lawrence Sectional, she beat Jenna Bolte of Brownstown Central and Jesse Fabian of Bedford North Lawrence which made her eligible to advance to the next round.

She was named Trinity’s most valuable player at the awards program and was also named Trinity’s MVP her junior year. Also being named the most improved her freshmen and sophomore seasons. She split her time between No. 1 doubles and No. 3 singles as a freshman, then played No. 2 singles her sophomore season.

Hubbard said she enjoys playing singles.

“It makes me proud knowing that I can do it on my own, and that I can be a factor for my team winning matches. I think I enjoy being on my own and growing and watching myself improve.”

This spring she helped the Cougars win 13 matches, which Coach Jayme Lowe believes to be a school record for wins in a season.

Because of the success she had as an individual and with the team, Hubbard has been named the Tribune’s 2024 girls’ tennis player of the year.

She said it is important to get off to a good start by winning the first set.

“Winning the first set is definitely motivation to keep pushing forward and do well your second set because honestly tennis is a big mental game. So, if you tell yourself that you can do it, and you can get that first set in, you should be good to go as you’re determined to win that second set.

“I think I’m a very consistent player. I think I’m quick on the court, and I’m working on being able to place balls better. I think I’m very consistent with my forehand.”

She said she feels her best strategy to win points is playing from the baseline. “I like to play back. I stay back most of the time. I think I had a pretty good senior season.”

Earlier this spring she signed her letter of intent to play tennis at Hanover College this fall.

“I really love Hanover’s campus,” she said. “It is a smaller campus, so they have smaller classes. I’ve met some people from Hanover, and they are awesome people to be around.”

Remaining members of the all-county team:

Singles

Elise Hartung (Sr.), Seymour: team MVP, 15-6 record playing singles and doubles, HHHC honorable mention

Ava Sunbury (Jr.), Seymour: 8-12, HHC first team, mental attitude award

Brynn Burton (Jr.), Brownstown Central:, team MVP, Mid-Southern first team

Doubles

Kiley Zabel (Sr.), Carson Bowling, (Jr.), (Trinity Lutheran), Zabel received Cougar Award

Addison Hunsley, (Jr.), Kelsea Hunsley, (Fr.), (Seymour), 5-7 together, Addison 12-8 overall, Kelsea 3-3 other matches. Kelsea named Seymour freshmen of the year

Honorable Mention

Seymour: Tori Fee

Trinity Lutheran: Presley Meyer

Brownstown Central: Audrey Scarlett-Genna Presley