ANDERSON, Ind. —
Former Highland girls tennis players Ashlan Allison and Alex Hammel aren’t related.
Technically.
But the pair are nearly as close as sisters, and their familiarity was on display Friday during a 6-0, 6-0 dismantling of Carissa Fuller and Elese Hacker in the women’s “A” doubles final at the Community Hospital Anderson Tennis Classic.
“We like to say we’re related,” Hammel said.
For the record, Allison’s half-sister also is Hammel’s cousin.
Still, a bloodline is about all the pair does not share.
“We’re kind of related so it’s kind of a family thing,” Allison said. “We’ve played together a lot since high school.”
Their careers overlapped for three years at Highland, but Hammel always was a singles player while Allison spent her first three years playing doubles.
Hammel has continued her career at Anderson University, where she will be a senior this fall. Allison is preparing for her junior year at Olivet Nazarene in Illinois.
Both former Scots said the local Classic is a wonderful way to get ready for their respective college seasons.
“It definitely helps,” Hammel said. “The competition on the college level is tough.”
Allison said it’s hard to replicate the environment you get in a tournament in practice.
“Any time you can keep playing, it’s always helpful,” she said. “Out here, we can compete and not just practice.”
The tournament has long prided itself on its accessibility.
There’s always a family-reunion type of atmosphere at the event, and players of all skill levels are welcome.
But that doesn’t mean players aren’t interested in winning, especially in the elite “A” divisions.
As much fun as it was for Allison and Hammel to stage a brief Highland revival — Hammel even wore a Scots T-shirt for the final — it felt even better to come away from the tournament with a trophy.
“It definitely feels good to come out and have fun and win,” Hammel said. “It’s good to see your hard work pay off.”
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Ashley Allison returns a volley to opponents Carissa Fuller, and Elese Hacker, while Allison's partner Alex Hammel guards the net, Friday during the Women's A Class Doubles championship. Aaron Piper
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