Warriors Stun Tigers In Sectional Final
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
One by one, spectators moved to the far tennis court at Warsaw Community High School as the host Tigers took on the underdog Wawasee Warriors.
Earlier in the year, the Warriors were manhandled by Warsaw. The Tigers would have no such luck and the doubles play of Ryan Harkleroad and Justin McDowell on the far court propelled Wawasee to just its third sectional crown in 11 years with a 3-2 win. The other eight have been won by Warsaw.
Saturday proved that when it comes to the postseason, records are thrown out and it's a brand new season.
Warsaw's dyamic duo of Blaine Sumpter and Ray Truman showed why they have a legitimate shot at a state finals appearance with a 6-0, 6-0 waxing of the Warriors' Andrew Custer and Kris Hively, to give the Tigers an early lead.
Chris Cavell, playing in just his third singles match all season, struggled at times but handled Warsaw's Mike Chanthalangsy 6-1, 6-3 to tie the match at 1-1.
The Warriors fell behind when Jason Sells outhit Kyle Jackson 6-2, 6-3.
With three of the five matches decided, Warsaw needed just one win at either No. 2 singles or No. 2 doubles.
In singles action, Wawasee's Ethan Drent had trouble at times with Warsaw's Ben Voorhorst but controlled the tempo and used some powerful attacking to win 6-3, 6-3.
The fate of the sectional came down to the only match of the day that went three sets.
The No. 2 doubles contest between Wawasee's Ryan Harkleroad and Justin McDowell and Warsaw's Alex Hannah and Austin Francalancia became the featured match.
The Warriors controlled the tempo of the first set en route to a 6-3. With the Tigers' collective back against the wall, Francalancia and Hannah came back to force a deciding third set with a 6-4 win in the second.
The crowds began to form with Warsaw down 2-1 in the third set. The Tigers broke Justin McDowell's serve to tie things up at 2-2. Unfazed, the Warriors returned the favor by breaking Hannah's serve to regain a lead at 3-2.
Wawasee went up 5-3 and held a love-15 advantage with Hannah serving. Three points away from the win, the Warriors were unable to close the door.
Warsaw appeared on its way to tying the match at 5-5 after going up love-30 with Harkleroad serving. Francalancia and Hannah each sailed return shots long to tie things up at 30-30. Harkleroad and McDowell moved to match point after another long return by Warsaw.
At championship point, Harkleroad served and after some back and forth, Hannah sailed a return shot long that sent the Warriors and their faithful into a frenzy.
As parents and players hugged, pictures were taken and Harkleroad doused coach Perznanowski with bottled water in less than balmy conditions.
Any flu-like symptoms that arise can be worn as a badge of honor in beating a heavily favored Warsaw squad.
McDowell, who was playing in just his third doubles match all year after switching with Cavell, combined with an experienced Harkleroad overcame any nerves.
Nerves still played a factor for Perzanowksi.
"I was nervous. I knew Harkleroad had played doubles but with Justin I was worried nerves would play a factor. I was so proud that they could stay mentally tough," said Perzanwoski.
"The (lineup change) helped us a lot. It made us strong where we were weak before. I knew it would help but I didn't know it would help this much.'
Perzanwoski, who enjoyed a bevy of accolades as a Warrior netter herself, enjoyed watching a young squad do something only two other Warrior teams had done before: beat Warsaw in the sectionals.
Since the lineup change, the Warriors are 3-0. While a shifting of players' roles helped, it was the improved play of the course of the year that impressed Perzanowski.
"They just started being more consistent and aggressive. Just being patient and hitting, that's just helped them so much," explained Perznanowksi as to the improved play by her team. "They exceeded my expectations."
The Warriors, 9-7 and 2-5 in the NLC, move on to the Concord Regionals Tuesday to take on DeKalb.
Warsaw's Sumpter and Truman along with Valley's Aaron Foster and Trenton Newsome take part in the doubles tournament at Concord Wednesday.
WAWASEE 3, WARSAW 2
Singles
No. 1 - Jason Sells (War) def. Kyle Jackson 6-2, 6-3
No. 2 - Ethan Drent (Waw) def. Ben Voorhorst 6-3, 6-3
No. 3 - Chris Cavell (Waw) def. Mike Chanthalangsy 6-1, 6-3
Doubles
No. 1 -ÊBlaine Sumpter/Ray Truman (War) def. Andrew Custer/Kris Hively 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 - Ryan Harkleroad/Justin McDowell (Waw) def. Austin Francalancia/Alex Hannah 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 [[In-content Ad]]
One by one, spectators moved to the far tennis court at Warsaw Community High School as the host Tigers took on the underdog Wawasee Warriors.
Earlier in the year, the Warriors were manhandled by Warsaw. The Tigers would have no such luck and the doubles play of Ryan Harkleroad and Justin McDowell on the far court propelled Wawasee to just its third sectional crown in 11 years with a 3-2 win. The other eight have been won by Warsaw.
Saturday proved that when it comes to the postseason, records are thrown out and it's a brand new season.
Warsaw's dyamic duo of Blaine Sumpter and Ray Truman showed why they have a legitimate shot at a state finals appearance with a 6-0, 6-0 waxing of the Warriors' Andrew Custer and Kris Hively, to give the Tigers an early lead.
Chris Cavell, playing in just his third singles match all season, struggled at times but handled Warsaw's Mike Chanthalangsy 6-1, 6-3 to tie the match at 1-1.
The Warriors fell behind when Jason Sells outhit Kyle Jackson 6-2, 6-3.
With three of the five matches decided, Warsaw needed just one win at either No. 2 singles or No. 2 doubles.
In singles action, Wawasee's Ethan Drent had trouble at times with Warsaw's Ben Voorhorst but controlled the tempo and used some powerful attacking to win 6-3, 6-3.
The fate of the sectional came down to the only match of the day that went three sets.
The No. 2 doubles contest between Wawasee's Ryan Harkleroad and Justin McDowell and Warsaw's Alex Hannah and Austin Francalancia became the featured match.
The Warriors controlled the tempo of the first set en route to a 6-3. With the Tigers' collective back against the wall, Francalancia and Hannah came back to force a deciding third set with a 6-4 win in the second.
The crowds began to form with Warsaw down 2-1 in the third set. The Tigers broke Justin McDowell's serve to tie things up at 2-2. Unfazed, the Warriors returned the favor by breaking Hannah's serve to regain a lead at 3-2.
Wawasee went up 5-3 and held a love-15 advantage with Hannah serving. Three points away from the win, the Warriors were unable to close the door.
Warsaw appeared on its way to tying the match at 5-5 after going up love-30 with Harkleroad serving. Francalancia and Hannah each sailed return shots long to tie things up at 30-30. Harkleroad and McDowell moved to match point after another long return by Warsaw.
At championship point, Harkleroad served and after some back and forth, Hannah sailed a return shot long that sent the Warriors and their faithful into a frenzy.
As parents and players hugged, pictures were taken and Harkleroad doused coach Perznanowski with bottled water in less than balmy conditions.
Any flu-like symptoms that arise can be worn as a badge of honor in beating a heavily favored Warsaw squad.
McDowell, who was playing in just his third doubles match all year after switching with Cavell, combined with an experienced Harkleroad overcame any nerves.
Nerves still played a factor for Perzanowksi.
"I was nervous. I knew Harkleroad had played doubles but with Justin I was worried nerves would play a factor. I was so proud that they could stay mentally tough," said Perzanwoski.
"The (lineup change) helped us a lot. It made us strong where we were weak before. I knew it would help but I didn't know it would help this much.'
Perzanwoski, who enjoyed a bevy of accolades as a Warrior netter herself, enjoyed watching a young squad do something only two other Warrior teams had done before: beat Warsaw in the sectionals.
Since the lineup change, the Warriors are 3-0. While a shifting of players' roles helped, it was the improved play of the course of the year that impressed Perzanowski.
"They just started being more consistent and aggressive. Just being patient and hitting, that's just helped them so much," explained Perznanowksi as to the improved play by her team. "They exceeded my expectations."
The Warriors, 9-7 and 2-5 in the NLC, move on to the Concord Regionals Tuesday to take on DeKalb.
Warsaw's Sumpter and Truman along with Valley's Aaron Foster and Trenton Newsome take part in the doubles tournament at Concord Wednesday.
WAWASEE 3, WARSAW 2
Singles
No. 1 - Jason Sells (War) def. Kyle Jackson 6-2, 6-3
No. 2 - Ethan Drent (Waw) def. Ben Voorhorst 6-3, 6-3
No. 3 - Chris Cavell (Waw) def. Mike Chanthalangsy 6-1, 6-3
Doubles
No. 1 -ÊBlaine Sumpter/Ray Truman (War) def. Andrew Custer/Kris Hively 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 - Ryan Harkleroad/Justin McDowell (Waw) def. Austin Francalancia/Alex Hannah 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 [[In-content Ad]]