Its lineup revamped because of one player's injured finger, Warsaw's varsity boys tennis team was still able to grab hold of victory Monday afternoon.

Hosting Columbia City in a match that was originally scheduled for Aug. 18, the Tigers came away gripping a 3-2 win over the Eagles in the absence of No. 1 doubles player Ray Truman, who sat out with a sprained finger.

Tiger coach Andy Lewis said Monday that Truman and Blaine Sumpter, both seniors and the members of the No. 1 doubles team, are his best players.

With Truman out, Lewis penciled Sumpter in the No. 1 singles slot, moved the No. 2 doubles team of seniors Alex Hannah and Austin Francalancia up to the top doubles spot, and switched junior Jason Sells from No. 1 singles to No. 2 singles.

Add to the lineup changes a slew of schedule changes that have limited Warsaw's court time to little more than daily practice.

"I'm very happy the way the kids responded," said Lewis, whose Tigers improved to 2-1 on the season. "We had to make some adjustments, but we still came out and got a win against a decent team from Columbia City."

To go with their adversity of the lineup and schedule changes, many of the Tigers are getting their first varsity experience.

A year ago Warsaw lost 3-2 in the semistate to Valparaiso.

Graduated from that team are No. 3 singles player Krijn Kouyzer, No. 1 singles player and Northern Lakes Conference champion Luke Wright and the No. 1 doubles team of Andrew Zale and Mark Sherman, who finished third in the state tournament.

"I'm very proud of the way the kids stepped up and faced adversity," said Lewis. "This team is stronger with Ray Truman and Blaine Sumpter at No. 1 doubles. They're my two best players, but I felt confident that we could still win."

Warsaw picked up its three points with wins at both doubles positions and at No. 2 singles.

At No. 2 singles, Sells had his way with Columbia City's Anton Bondarenko, beating him 6-0, 6-3.

In the No. 1 doubles match, Hannah and Francalancia were equally impressive, posting a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Brad Emerick and Micas Phillipson.

And at No. 2 doubles, sophomore Ben Voorhorst and freshman Zach Tucker posted a 6-4, 6-1 win for the Tigers over Josh Walker and Zach Miner.

In the No. 3 singles match, Columbia City's Spencer Grimm defeated Mike Chanthalangsy 6-1, 6-1.

And in the final match of the evening to finish, the only match to go three sets, Columbia City's Andrew Helton defeated Sumpter 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Warsaw is in action again Thursday with rival Plymouth.

WARSAW 3, COL. CITY 2

Singles

No. 1 - Andrew Helton (CC) def. Blaine Sumpter 4-6, 6-1, 6-2

No. 2 - Jason Sells (W) def. Anton Bondarenko (CC) 6-0, 6-3

No. 3 - Spencer Grimm (CC) def. Mike Chanthalangsy 6-1, 6-2

Doubles

No. 1 - Alex Hannah/Austin Francalancia (W) def. Brad Emerick/Micas Phillipson 6-2, 6-1

No. 2 - Ben Voorhorst/Zach Tucker (W) def. Josh Walker/Zach Miner 6-4, 6-1

JV -ÊWarsaw 5, Col. City 2

Singles

No. 1 - Derrick Sadler (W) def. Jermey Cripe 8-2

No. 2 - Mark Krizmanich (W) def. Jeff Anderson 8-3

No. 3 - Lucas Ellsworth (W) def. Jeremy Cripe 8-6

Doubles

No. 1 - Ken Kawsky/Dan Beeson (W) def. Austin Craft/Josh Craig 8-1

No. 2 - D.J. Guy/Nick Haddad (W) def. Derek Gay/Brenden Macy 8-2

No. 3 - Austin Graft/Derek Gay (CC) def. Justin Hodorek/Kyle Watson 8-2

No. 4 - Josh Craig/Brenden Macy (CC) def. Jake Wallin/Stefan Ludlow 8-2 [[In-content Ad]]