GOSHEN — The Fairfield High School girls tennis team had business to take care of Friday night in the championship match of the Goshen sectional.

Two members of the team — juniors McKenzie Hochstedler and Mary Shipley — were singing in a choir concert at the school beginning at 7 p.m.

Based on the methodical way the Falcons went about the matches you might have guessed all of them were singing.

Fairfield went out and posted a 4-1 win over the Jimtown Jimmies with only one of the five matches going beyond two sets.

It was the third straight championship for the Falcons and the ninth in program history. Others were in 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010 and 2011.

“Going into the sectional we knew there were teams that could beat us,” Fairfield coach Mike Filbrun said. “Anything can happen once you get into the sectional.

“The girls played with composure. We always talk to them about being aggressive while still playing within yourself. Our No. 1 doubles team (seniors) Kaelin Bender and Nicole Murdoch are good examples of that concept. They make their presence known at the net, but at the same time they are taking quality shots.”

Fairfield (17-2) advances to the semifinals of the Northridge regional on Tuesday at 5 p.m. the Falcons face the Northridge Raiders (14-4). Winners from Angola (the host Hornets or DeKalb) and East Noble (Westview or West Noble) square off in the other semifinal.

The championship is Wednesday at 5 p.m.

The Falcons were 4-1 winners over Northridge at Fairfield on April 12.

“Northridge has changed its lineup since then. Almost none of our players will be playing the same opponent they did the first time,” Filbrun said. “I don’t expect the first match to have much of an impact on the second.”

Bender and Murdoch (19-3 record) put the first point on the scoreboard for the Falcons with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Jimmie seniors Morgan Belakovich and Kaley Funkhouser.

Falcon freshman Lauren Streit notched the second point with her 6-0, 6-1 victory over Jimtown senior Michelle Williams at No. 2 singles.

“This is really exciting, but I’m also a little nervous being the youngest member of the team,” the 14-year-old said.

“At this point of the season you no longer feel like a freshman, especially with all of the tournament experience I had before high school. I have been playing in tournaments for six or seven years.

“Back on the first day of practice I had no idea where I would fit into to the lineup.”

About facing Northridge again.

“Their lineup has changed, which is fine with me I like play new people,” Streit said.

Lauren is the daughter of former Goshen High School player Andy Streit who was the team’s most valuable player as a junior and senior while plying No. 1 singles for the Redskins.

Fairfield clinched the match with senior Haley Bechtel’s 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles over Jimmie senior Sierra Candler. The first set lasted about 35 minutes while the second took less than 20.

“I didn’t play up to my level in the first set,” Bechtel said. “The second was much better.

“It’s awesome to repeat as champions and we are looking forward to regional. The experience most of us have playing at the regional level should help us. We are looking forward to playing Northridge again.”

Bechtel improved her record to 19-3 on the season.

Fairfield’s final point was at No. 3 singles where Hochstedler recorded a 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Jimmie junior Kelsey Weinkauf.

The Jimmies picked up a point at No. 2 doubles in the event’s longest contest. Seniors Randie Witek and Aubrey Adams outlasted Shipley and her sophomore teammate Leah Wimmer 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in a match that still finished in under two hours.



Sectional Summary

Fairfield 4, Jimtown 1

Singles

No. 1 — Haley Bechtel (F) def. Sierra Candler 6-3, 6-0; No. 2 — Lauren Streit (F) def. Michelle Williams 6-0, 6-1; No. 3 — McKenzie Hochstedler (F) def. Kelsey Weinkauf 6-3, 6-3.

Doubles

No. 1 — Kaelin Bender-Nicole Murdoch (F) def. Morgan Belakovich-Kaley Funkhouser 6-2, 6-0; No. 2 — Randie Witek-Aubrey Adams (J) def. Leah Wimmer-Mary Shipley 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.