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"If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well." This is the motto of the Tippecanoe Valley tennis team, but Thursday night it could be applied to Manchester High School's team as well.
Although Manchester swept Valley in the TRC matchup, both coaches were pleased with the performance of their teams.
"Valley looked better today than they did at the TRC tournament," said Manchester coach Eric Christiansen. "We played well tonight, but this is just one match. It would be nice to ride the momentum of this match but each one is different."
"We have a very young team but we came out and competed with a very strong Manchester team," said Rod Hamman, Tippecanoe Valley head coach.
"Our team has definitely improved," said Hamman. "We played against Manchester about two weeks ago at the TRC tournament, and our matches were much closer tonight. We had some matches go into a third set so we gave them more competition. I think we were more mentally tough than we were two weeks ago."
Both coaches are happy with the way their teams have developed. "I have been pleased with our competitiveness," said Hamman. "We try to win all the time and get better. We have taken our lumps this year and we are better because of it. Our guys know the strokes, and now they are learning to win matches."
With only a few weeks left in the season, both coaches are looking to the future. Manchester, with a 6-4 overall record and 2-0 TRC record, is planning a strategy for the next few weeks.
"We have another TRC match on Monday against Rochester," said Christiansen. "Rochester will be a tough match but if our guys keep their heads in it we should have a good match ."
Valley, with a 3-6 record overall and 2-1 in TRC competition, is looking a little further into the future.
"We only have one senior so a large part of our team will be returning next season," said Hamman. "Our goal for the rest of the season is to continue to get better mentally and physically. We want to continue to do our best and finish strong."
In varsity singles play, the Squires defeated the Vikings in all three matches. No. 1 Nate Little defeated Valley's Drew Shafer 6-1, 6-2, and No. 3 Peter Naragon defeated Andy Martin in straight sets 6-2, 6-2. In the No. 2 singles spot, Matt Purdy came from behind to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 over Jeremy Shambaugh in the longest match of the evening.
In varsity doubles competition, Valley's Bryce Gast and Brian Love fell to Mitch Eads and Michael Good 6-1, 4-6, 6-3. Manchester's Brad Kaffeber and Bart King defeated Luke Shambaugh and Philip Jackson in straight sets 6-1, 6-4.
Both teams have matches this weekend and next week where they will prepare for sectional action in two weeks.
