Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊWhere Manchester's boys tennis team is now, Tippecanoe Valley plans to be next year.
That is, the top team in the Three Rivers Conference. That is, sporting a solid lineup that not only beats poor teams but good ones, as well.
But for now, Manchester still rules the TRC, and Thursday the Squires ruled Valley 5-0.
Manchester improved to 9-2 overall and 2-0 in the TRC, while Valley dropped to 11-3 overall and 2-1 in the TRC. Manchester's two losses have come to No. 13 Carroll (Allen) and 14-0 Bluffton.
The two teams met Sept. 11 in the TRC Tournament at Tippecanoe Valley; Manchester finished first with 19 points, and Valley took second with 15 points.
Manchester may have won 5-0 Thursday, but to hear Manchester coach Eric Christiansen talk, the Squires were lucky to win.
"Oh man, Valley's incredible," he said. "It was 5-0, but it was a close 5-0. Valley has really improved. They've given us tough matches the last two years, at the invitational and during the regular season.
"This is the best team they've had."
Valley's doubles teams gave the Squires their best matches, each going three sets. Manchester's No. 1 doubles team of Michael Good and Bart King beat Brian Love and Andy Martin 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, while its No. 2 doubles team of Todd Shumaker and Mike Howard beat Kyle Robinson and Phil Jackson 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4.
In the singles matches, Matt Purdy beat Drew Shafer 6-2, 6-3; Pieter Naragon beat Jeremy Shambaugh 6-0, 6-1; and Jeff Sincroft beat Luke Shambaugh 6-2, 6-3.
"Our singles players all played great matches," Christiansen said. "I was proud of our number two doubles team especially. They have been struggling a little bit. To come back after being down 4-3 and win that third set is a big confidence-builder."
Here is why Christiansen is wary of Valley: The Vikings will graduate only one player, Jeremy Shambaugh, off a team currently 11-3. The Squires will lose Purdy, Good, Shumaker and Howard to graduation.
"They're right there," Christiansen said. "They're right behind us. Next year they could be even with us or better. We could be rebuilding. A lot of it depends on the offseason work, what we do and what they do."
MANCHESTER 5, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 0
Singles
No. 1 - Matt Purdy def. Drew Shafer 6-2, 6-3
No. 2 - Pieter Naragon def. Jeremy Shambaugh 6-0, 6-1
No. 3 - Jeff Sincroft def. Luke Shambaugh 6-2, 6-3
Doubles
No. 1 -ÊMichael Good/Bart King def. Brian Love/Andy Martin 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
No. 2 - Todd Shumaker/Mike Howard def. Kyle Robinson/Phil Jackson 6-2, 6-7 (7-2), 6-4
Records -ÊManchester 9-2, 2-0 TRC; Tippecanoe Valley 11-3, 2-1 TRC
JV - MANCHESTER 5, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 0
Singles
No. 1 - Tyler Kelsey def. Adam Arndell 8-1
No. 2 - Nathan Bucher def. Kyle Kamp 8-0
No. 3 - Sam Olsen won by default
Doubles
No. 1 - Joey Zapf/Tanner Alger def. Brett Kollin/Ryan Perry 8-3
No. 2 - Zach Keim/Jon Cable def. Ben Thompson/Jason Harrold 8-4
JV records - Tippecanoe Valley 7-4, Manchester 10-1
