PREP GIRLS TENNIS: Warren’s win No. 3 singles helps Westview edge Fairfield 3-2
BENTON — All eyes were on No. 3 singles at the end of a match between Northeast Corner Conference girls high school tennis front-runners Westview and Fairfield.
Warriors senior Lexi Warren rallied to top Falcons senior Taylor Schreck 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the decisive match Friday as visiting Westview edged Fairfield 3-2.
“I don’t really let it get to me, I just play my game,” Warren said of the tight match that lasted well past all the others while helping her team move to 10-2 overall and 7-0 in NECC. “It’s hitting with intensity and consistency and just staying in the right mindset.
With a a final round robin match Monday at Fremont, the Warriors are now alone atop the conference standings. Fairfield (8-4, 6-1) plays host to Angola Tuesday. Before that, the Falcons play in the Angola Invitational today.
What’s been the key to Westview’s success in 2025?
“We really just play as a team,” Warren said. “We rally together and cheer each other on.
“We all get mentally set before the match and just really focus on how we know we can play.”
Before most matches, the Warriors run down the court and get their heads right before lineups are announced.
“Our girls have a lot of ability, but to win these big matches we have to be locked in mentally,” Westview coach Carrie Clark said. “That’s something that we continue to work on every single day at practice.
“Locking in on our mental game made a difference tonight. It was a team effort, but I’m really, really proud of Lexi. She’s playing phenomenal tennis from our Goshen match to the DeKalb Invitational (where Warren was No. 3 singles champion). She’s really worked hard all season. She deserves all the success she’s having.”
The Warriors-Falcons match started May 1 and was suspended to Friday early in the first set on all five courts because of weather. Fairfield was leading on three courts, including 3-0 at No. 3 singles. Westview was up at No. 2 singles and tied at No. 1 singles.
The Falcons earned Friday’s first two wins with seniors Lauren Troyer and Greta Hochstetler beating junior Ava Hostetler and freshman Alayah Hostetler 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2 doubles and sophomore Lacy Stoltzus defeating junior Kristen Bender 7-5, 6-1 at No. 1 singles.
The Warriors’ first team point came at No. 2 singles as sophomore Camryn Christner topped sophomore Allie Stahly 6-0, 6-1.
Westview knotted the score at 2-2 with the No. 2 doubles duo of juniors Lanita Mast and Miley Mast coming back to best senior Elise Schwartz and freshman Vienna Griffith 1-6, 6-2, 7-5.
“We know that all five courts would be pretty close,” Fairfield first-year coach Landyn Nunemaker said. “Westview’s always got a solid program.
“It stinks that we dropped two (three-set matches) but we did a lot of things right. The girls listened and we played good points. A lot of matches, especially at No. 3 singles went to deuce.
“I was very impressed with (No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles) sticking in as long as they did.”
What have been positives for the Falcons so far this season?
“Consistency is one of our strength,” said Nunemaker. “The girls do a good job of staying focused and playing smart. They’re not throwing away points.
“I’ve been impressed with the leadership of our four seniors. That’s really helped us.”
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GIRLS TENNIS
Westview 3, Fairfield 2
No. 1 singles: Lacy Stoltzfus (F) def. Kristen Bender (W) 7-5, 6-1
No. 2 singles: Camryn Christner (W) def. Allie Stahly (F) 6-0, 6-1
No. 3 singles: Lexi Warren (W) def. Taylor Schreck (F) 3-6, 7-5, 6-1
No. 1 doubles: Lanita Mast/Miley Mast (W) def. Elise Schwartz/Vienna Griffith (F) 1-6, 6-2, 7-5
No. 2 doubles: Lauren Troyer/Greta Hochstetler (F) def. Ava Hostetler/Alayah Hostetler (W) 6-0, 6-1
Order of finish: 2D, 1S, 2S, 1D, 3S
Records: Westview 10-2 (7-0 NECC), Fairfield 8-4 (6-1 NECC).
JV: Westview 10, Fairfield 2.
