The Cougars advanced on Wednesday evening in the opening round of the Seymour sectional, defeating Bedford North Lawrence in a thrilling 3-2 victory to secure their first postseason win as a team in more than a decade.

The victory was the second sectional team win in program history and the first since defeating Scottsburg 13 years ago, the year after Trinity began their tennis program.

Cougars No. 1 Jack Stuckwisch secured a win in the No. 1 singles match, defeating Star Jackson Corey 6-3, and 6-2. Both Trinity doubles teams secured a win to allow Trinity to squeeze by BNL and advance to the sectional semifinal against Seymour.

Bedford won two matches as Braxton Fugate defeated Luke Schepman in the second singles match, 6-3, and 6-2. Reece Goodgame downed Ross Bevers, 6-4, and 6-1 for the other results.

Coach Emerson spoke about the win afterwards.

“We have had some youth in a few positions, two doubles being one of them. They came through for us tonight,” Emerson said. “The kids hung in there after dropping the first set, coming back to win the second one. Then they just gritted it out, which I’m proud of.”

The second doubles match went on for more than two hours as Reed Roeder and Brody Brown battled their Bedford opponent throughout the night. Roeder and Brown dropped the opening match 6-4, before rallying to win the second set, 6-1.

By the end of the match, all the marbles were on this game as Roeder and Brown fought tooth and nail to end up on top. The two couldn’t have been happier to celebrate their clinching 6-3 final set victory.

Both players spoke on the come from behind win, after dropping the opening set.

“We had our ups and downs but were able to figure it out in the end,” Roeder said.

“I felt that we played together when we needed too most,” Brown added.

Trinity’s No. 1 doubles team of Nathan Finke and Jonathan Neawedde spoke on their performances against the Stars, after their 6-1, and 7-5 win over Orion Hill and Neal Patel.

“I think we played super well when we were moving,” Finke said. “As long as we were staying active, we were playing just fine.”

“We focused on doing the right things and ended up playing very well,” Neawedde said.

All four Trinity athletes spoke about their winning efforts.

“It’s an honor honestly,” Finke said. “It is amazing to be a part of history. Last year and this year, I’m also trusting my teammate more to make the shot he needs too.”

Finke and Neawedde made history last year as the first Trinity duo to advance to the IHSAA Doubles Regional. Neawedde said he has a lot of trust in his partner.

“I trust him a lot when he’s receiving serves,” Neawedde. “I know he’s going to get it back over the net.”

Brown and Roeder were honored to be involved in the winning effort, especially since it’s been so long.

“It feels great to get that win, we’ve had a tennis team forever it seems like,” Brown said. “We’re not done yet though.”

This moment will be something they can remember, as their first win as a team in the postseason.

“It’s great to be a part of that and say that we were on this team,” Roeder said.

Communication and returning serves will be a key factor for the Cougars if they want to continue their doubles success.

“Communication will be key for us, that will matter in our upcoming matches,” Roeder said.

Improving overhead shots will also help according to Roeder’s partner.

“We definitely have to work on returning our serves,” Brown said. “Talking and working on our overhead shots will help us out.”

After picking up his first sectional win as Trinity head coach, Emerson spoke about why he enjoys coaching this group of kids.

“This has been a real fun team,” Emerson said. “They are young and have a lot of enthusiasm and they are learning and want to continue learning. Overall, it is just an excellent group of kids with a lot of the same goals.”

The former Seymour coach spoke on the upcoming matchup with the Owls.

“They’re a good team and have good athletes,” Emerson said. “We’re a pretty good little team too. I think if we can hang in there and fight, that anything can happen in this sport. We will come to battle and ready to play.”

Seymour will face Trinity tonight at 4:45 p.m. The match will take place at Seymour High School.

Trinity Lutheran 3, Bedford North Lawrence 2

No. 1 singles: Jack Stuckwisch (TL), def. Jackson Corey (BNL), 6-3, 6-2.

No. 2 singles: Braxton Fugate (BNL), def. Luke Schepman (TL), 6-3, 6-2.

No. 3 singles: Reece Goodgame (BNL), def. Ross Bevers (TL), 6-4, 6-1.

No. 1 doubles: Nathan Finke-Jonathan Neawedde (TL), def. Orion Hill-Neal Patel (BNL), 6-1, 7-5.

No. 2 doubles: Reed Roeder-Brody Brown (TL), def. Micah Carter-Wyatt Corbin (BNL), 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.