Playing a winless Elkhart Memorial tennis team, the Warsaw Lady Tigers were looking for a victory Tuesday at the Tiger Courts, and that's exactly what they got.
"We looked at this, and we anticipated a 3-2 score," Warsaw coach Rick Orban said about hosting the 0-3 Crimson Lady Chargers. "But we anticipated a very solid 3-2 score - and that's what we got. That's why I'm so pleased with it."With the Lad Tigers losing at the No. 1 and 2 singles courts, Warsaw freshman Sarah Hartle defeated Kelly Emerson 6-2, 6-1 at No. 3 singles.
The No. 1 doubles team of sophomore Carlye Bishopp and junior Lauren Sciarra also won 6-2, 6-1, while seniors Stefani Davis and Jessica Cesaretti were 6-2, 6-2 victors at No. 2 doubles.
The win moved Warsaw to 3-4 on the year and 1-2 in the Northern Lakes Conference. The Chargers now sit at 0-4 and 0-3 in the NLC.
In the loss, Memorial's Katelyn Grubb proved to be a high-caliber player, defeating Warsaw's No.1 singles player, sophomore Alli Tucker, 6-3, 6-1.
"Grubb is one of the best in the state," Orban said. "I was real proud of Alli for sticking with her in that first set."
Working with a young team a year ago, Orban anticipated having more experience this year, but with last year's freshman No. 1 player Erika White moving to Minnesota, and junior Audrey Petro running track this season, Orban is once again trying to piece together a strong squad.
"It made a lot of girls step up," Orban said. "And once again, we're a very young team."
"It's been real interesting to watch them," he added. " I've tried different lineups, putting different people at different positions. I'm always looking to find the right combination by about halfway through the season - in time for the conference and sectional. I think I've found the right combination."
One of those different looks was putting junior Kandi Kesler at No. 3 singles, where she lost 6-2, 6-1 to Casey Delucenay.
"I knew Kandi would struggle at No. 2 singles, and she did," Orban said. "But I left her there, because she's going to have to get used to playing that type of player."
Orban commented that he was happy to see Hartle not waste any time in her match, and also acknowledged his doubles teams have begun to hit their strides.
Due to weather, the Tigers moved their NLC match with Wawasee from Thursday to today at 4:30 p.m.. The move allowed the Wawasee Lady Warriors to reschedule their Tuesday match against Northridge to Thursday.
