The Warsaw Tigers are in an unusual position for this year's tennis sectional. They are the underdog.

For the past seven years, Warsaw has won the sectional, but this season, the Tigers are no longer the favorites.

"This is a good time for another team to come in and win the sectional," said Warsaw coach Andy Lewis. "For the past seven years we've been the ones who were favored. I think this is the first time since I have been coaching here that a team other than Warsaw is the favorite."

Eight seniors graduated from last year's Warsaw team, so many of this year's players have not had much varsity playing experience, and that may account for the 3-9 Tiger record.

Along with a good regular-season record, Valley has one advantage over the other teams in the Warsaw Sectional -Êexperience. The Valley squad sports three seniors and two juniors. One freshman and one sophomore round out the Viking lineup.

"Hopefully we can use our experience to help us," said Valley tennis coach Rod Hamman. "Most of our guys have been in the sectional before, and I hope we can use that experience to our advantage and make it pay off."

But that does not change the fact that most coaches feel that the favorites going into the sectional are Tippecanoe Valley and Wawasee.

"We lost 4-1 to Wawasee earlier in the season," Lewis said. "It was the first time since I have been coach that we have been beaten by Wawasee in the regular season. I would have to say Wawasee is the favorite. Warsaw has a long tradition of tennis, but Wawasee is playing good tennis right now.

"Tippy has turned its team around in the past few years. They are a strong team, and they are playing very well this year. They will be a team to watch as well."

"I think if we play the way we are capable of playing, it should be a good, close sectional," said Hamman. "Wawasee is strong, and they have had a good season. Warsaw has improved late in the season, so it should be a good strong sectional."

But other teams will not be able to count the Tigers out.

"Over the season we have gotten better," said Lewis. "Wawasee is always up for us, so it should be a good match. We finished ahead of them in the NLC match last weekend. We had a couple good matches."

The matches at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday will be the ones that really count. In the sectional, season records are put aside, and only the winners move on.

"The true test will be at the sectional this weekend. It will all come down to who wants it more. The other teams in our sectional have improved in the last couple years, so that will definitely be a factor."

WARSAW TENNIS SECTIONAL

Saturday, Sept. 30

10 a.m. -ÊWawasee vs. Warsaw

10 a.m. -ÊTippecanoe Valley vs. Whitko

2 p.m. -ÊChampionship match

*Winner advances to the Concord Regional to play the winner of the DeKalb Regional

BREMEN TENNIS SECTIONAL

Saturday, Sept. 30

9 a.m. -ÊBremen vs. LaVille

9 a.m. -ÊJohn Glenn vs. Triton

Noon -ÊChampionship match

*Winner advances to the South Bend Clay Regional to play the winner of the Culver Military Sectional

NORTHWOOD SECTIONAL

Friday, Sept. 29

4:30 p.m. -ÊGoshen vs. Bethany Christian

Saturday, Sept. 30

9 a.m. -ÊJimtown vs Goshen/Bethany Christian winner

9 a.m. -ÊFairfield vs. NorthWood

1 p.m. -ÊChampionship match

*Winner advances to the Concord Regional to play the winner of the Concord Sectional

PERU SECTIONAL

Thursday, Sept 28

4:30 p.m. -ÊManchester def. Wabash 3-2

4:30 p.m. -ÊPeru def. Maconaquah 3-2

Saturday, Sept. 30

10 a.m. -ÊManchester vs. Peru

*Winner advances to the Peru Regional to pay the winner of the Logansport Sectional

MANCHESTER SQUIRES

Coach -ÊEric Christiansen

Record -Ê8-7

Coach's quote -Ê"We got a good draw in the sectional. We play Wabash in the four-team Peru Sectional. Peru beat us, but we beat Maconaquah. Then Maconaquah beat Peru, so I think we have a chance. I hope we can be ready to play. If we are, I think we have a chance to do well in the sectional."

NORTHWOOD PANTHERS

Coach -ÊAngie Swain

Record -Ê3-11

Coach's quote -Ê"Fairfield is the favorite going in. Fairfield is a very strong team with a good record. They are a very good team. Basically we are continuing to work on the things we have worked on all year, consistency, being aggressive and shot selection."

TIPPECANOE VALLEY VIKINGS

Coach -ÊRod Hamman

Record -Ê13-2

Coach's quote -Ê"I think if we play the way we are capable of playing, it should be a good, close sectional. Wawasee is strong, and they have had a good season. Warsaw has improved late in the season, so it should be a good strong sectional."

TRITON TROJANS

Coach -ÊJanet Beam

Record -Ê4-10

Coach's quote -Ê"I think our sectional is going to be close. All of the teams are playing pretty well right now. Bremen was the All-Conference team, so at this point they are the team to beat."

WARSAW TIGERS

Coach -ÊAndy Lewis

Record -Ê3-9

Coach's quote -Ê"This is a good time for another team to come in and win the sectional. For the past seven years we've been the ones who were favored. I think this is the first time since I have been coaching here that a team other than Warsaw is the favorite. I would have to say Wawasee is the favorite. Warsaw has a long tradition of tennis, but Wawasee is playing good tennis right now."

WAWASEE WARRIORS

Coach -ÊPhil Mishler

Record -Ê10-6

Coach's quote - "We beat Warsaw in the regular season, but they turned around and beat us in the NLC's. I think it's anyone's ball game, but we are going to be ready to go for the sectional."

WHITKO WILDCATS

Coach -ÊLarry Schuh

Record - 2-9

Coach's quote - "We played hard the first time we played Valley, but they blanked us 5-0. The kids are going to go out and play hard. I expect them to give 100 percent and if they do, anything can happen." [[In-content Ad]]