Hubbard’s season end at district

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By Eddie Mowen Jr.

[email protected]

MASON – Ashlyn Hubbard was just happy to reach the district tournament – until she got there.

Then the goal changed.

But sometimes things don’t always goes according to plans.

The Preble Shawnee senior wrapped up her brilliant career with a first-round loss to a familiar foe in the opening round of the girls Division II District tournament on Thursday, Oct. 12, at the ATP Linder Family Tennis Center in Mason.

Hubbard, who owns the Preble Shawnee school record for career wins with 91, lost to Madi Porter of Middletown Madison 6-4, 6-1 to see her season and career come to an end.

“I worked really hard over the summer to get here. So, I’m excited to just to have qualified. That was my main goal and then when I got here I wanted to go to state. But that doesn’t always happen the way you want it to work out,” she said. “I’m happy with making it here and being able to play where they play the Western and Southern (Open). It’s an amazing opportunity.”

Hubbard, who is just the second tennis player in school history to reach the district level, finished the season 24-7.

The meeting with Porter was the seventh between the Southwestern Buckeye League rivals. Hubbard won the first three, but Porter claimed the last four.

“I feel like I played pretty good. I tried a different style of tennis, which it didn’t quite work out for me, but Madi played really well too. Even after I changed back to my normal game, Madi was running down balls like crazy. She played well,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard said she enjoyed her time playing at Shawnee and is looking forward to the next stage of her career – playing at IU East with her sister.

“It’s been fun. I played with a great group of girls from the beginning of the year and I’m excited to be able to go play with my sister (at IU East),” she said.

Stephanie Isaacs (2002) was the last Shawnee player to advance to district.

“That’s really exciting,” she said. “We thought I was the first and I was really excited about that, but being the second to get here, that’s awesome.”

Her coach and dad, Dave Hubbard said he felt the match could have gone either way.

“I knew it was going to be tough because they’ve played six time before. Obviously, we knew Madi had won the last three … even when Ashlyn had played her normal game you have to take your hat off to her. She ran down a lot of balls and hit a lot of smart shots,” he said.

He said he is going to miss having her around next season.

“She had a great career. She has 91 wins. Not only has she been an outstanding player, even though she’s my daughter, she’s a very coachable young lady. She’s a great sport. The thing I think is great about Ashlyn’s career is not only the results but the way she’s been role model for some of our younger players coming up,” he said. “Just sad to see the Hubbard era come to an end. For the last six yeas we’ve had at least one of them on the team.”

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4056 or on Twitter @emowen_RH

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Only second tennis player in school history to reach that level

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

[email protected]

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4056 or on Twitter @emowen_RH

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