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Following a loss to rival Wawasee in last year's sectional, Warsaw boys tennis coach Andy Lewis said nothing would come between he and his team from winning this year's title.
On Saturday, on the Tigers' home court, nothing came between them and their seventh title in nine years under Lewis - not Wawasee and not Tippecanoe Valley.
Advaning to the title tilt with a 4-1 win over Wawasee, the Tigers ran away with the championship by handling Valley 5-0. The Vikings advanced to the championship round by dowing rival Whitko 4-1 in the other semifinal.
"I told the kids last year after we lost a heart-breaker to Wawasee we weren't gonna let that happen again," Lewis said. "The kids weren't gonna let that happen again, they came ready to play. Nothing was gonna stand between us and the sectional title."
Just as their school enrollment would imply, the Tigers (11-3) appeared Goliath-like against Valley (7-9-1).
In the first championship match to finish, Warsaw sophomores Blaine Sumpter and Alex Hannah teamed up at No. 2 doubles and dominated Viking seniors Brad Roberts and Jason Harrold 6-0, 6-0.
At No. 3 singles, the second match to be completed, it was the Tigers blanking Valley again as sophomore Ray Truman downed sophomore Keith Kindig 6-0, 6-0.
"I thought the guys put forth a good effort, Warsaw just had more shots today," Valley coach Rod Hamman said. "Warsaw is solid up and down the line. They and Bremen are about the best teams we've played this year, they're both very solid programs."
In a match the Vikings were more competitive in, Tiger junior Luke Wright defeated Viking senior Scott Kindig 6-4, 6-2, giving Warsaw the third team point in the match and the sectional championship.
"Tippy Valley is really improving their program," Lewis said. "Their kids are playing at the (Warsaw) Raquet Club, and they're a lot better than they were when they first came in this sectional."
At the No. 1 doubles position, Tiger juniors Mark Sherman and Andrew Zale did away with Viking juniors Zach Shambaugh and Stuart Jackson 6-2, 6-2.
In the final match to conclude, one that took just over an hour, Warsaw's lone senior Brandon Conley downed Valley junior Sam Vanlaningham 6-4, 6-1.
In the morning semifinal round, Wawasee's lone win over the Tigers came at No. 1 singles where Warrior senior Evan Gerard topped Conley 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-3. Gerard will play at Concord High School Tuesday in the individual regional as he was the only undefeated No. 1 player not on an advancing team.
Warsaw as well will play Tuesday at Concord.
In the Whitko/Valley semifinal match, Whitko's lone win came at No. 2 doubles where Wildcats Ryne Winger and Nate Carver downed Roberts and Harrold 6-4, 6-3.
WARSAW BOYS TENNIS SECTIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIP
WARSAW 5, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 0
Singles
No. 1 - Brandon Conley (W) def. Sam Vanlaningham 6-4, 6-1
No. 2 - Luke Wright (W) def. Scott Kindig 6-4, 6-2
No. 3 - Ray Truman (W) def. Keith Kindig 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
No. 1 - Mark Sherman/Andrew Zale (W) def. Zach Shambaugh/Stuart Jackson 6-2, 6-2
No. 2 - Blaine Sumpter/Alex Hannah (W) def. Brad Roberts/Jason Harrold 6-0, 6-0
SEMIFINALS
WARSAW 4, WAWASEE 1
Singles
No. 1 - Evan Gerard (Wawa) def. Brandon Conley 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-3
No. 2 - Luke Wright (War) def. Josh Abrams 6-4, 6-7, 6-4
No. 3 - Ray Truman (War) def. Cole Stage 6-3, 6-0
Doubles
No. 1 - Mark Sherman/Andrew Zale (War) def. Jason McDowell/Joey Szynal 6-1, 6-1
No. 2 - Blaine Sumpter/Alex Hannah (War) def. Kyle Jackson/Ethan Drent 6-2, 6-3
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 4, WHITKO 1
Singles
No. 1 - Sam Vanlaningham (TV) def. Tim Stoffel 6-1, 6-3
No. 2 - Scott Kindig (TV) def. Nathan Collier 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
No. 3 - Keith Kindig (TV) def. Brett King 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
No. 1 - Zach Shambaugh/Stuart Jackson (TV) def. Kory Mettler/Brandon Schrader 6-2, 6-1
No. 2 - Ryne Winger/Nate Carver (W) def. Brad Roberts/Jason Harrold 6-4, 6-3
