Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Because he says players focus more and there's more pressure, Warsaw girls tennis coach Rick Orban likes matching up with opponents better than practice.
Orban's Tigers will certainly have their share of matches over the next two weeks.
Against Kosciusko County rival Tippecanoe Valley Monday afternoon, Warsaw opened a stretch of play in which the Tigers will have 10 matches in 14 days.
And Monday against Valley, the host Tigers got off on the right foot, dominating the Vikings 5-0 in windy conditions.
"This week is wonderful," said Orban, whose 13th-ranked Tigers improved to 2-1 on the season. "We're going to be playing a lot of matches. The kids focus more and there's more pressure when you're playing an opponent. In a match, if you lose, you lose. In practice, you can say, 'I'll just get the next game.' This team wants to be extremely successful."
They were exactly that Monday afternoon.
The Tigers won all five varsity matches in straight sets, with the closest match being Ashley Harrison's 6-1, 6-2 win over foreign exchange student Adela Zmelikova at No. 1 singles.
Both teams had to battle the windy conditions, but because his team has played in those conditions all season, Orban said the Tigers weren't bothered by it.
"It was definitely a factor, but it didn't bother us," said Orban. "It was 36 degrees out with 18-mile-an-hour winds at our first practice. We didn't have any nets up, and I gave the girls the choice of going in and running or coming outside and learning how to hit in the wind. They all came outside. We've been playing in the wind since day one. We've been preaching to them, 'The wind is our friend, the wind is our friend.' They've learned how to hit into the wind with a lot of top spin. They've really adapted well. The wind didn't affect us, and this is the first time in four years I've been able to say that."
At No. 2 singles, Warsaw's Milagros Ridoutt blanked Brooke Prater 6-0, 6-0, while Tiger Jessica Sadler beat Lindsey Stavedahl 6-1, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.
In the top doubles spot, Warsaw's Brandy Allen and Jill Harrison handled Andrea Kindig and Maribeth Martin 6-1, 6-0.
At No. 2 doubles, Tigers Alicia Swank and Gabby Schlitt beat Sheena Reed and Allison Rock 6-1, 6-0.
"I expected to win in straight sets, but I thought we might give up more games," said Orban. "We didn't miss anything. They (Valley) have great girls. Traditionally, they're not the strongest program, but they have wonderful kids. Honestly, it's the talent level. We're ranked 13th in the state, and this team can be really, really good."
The Tigers have dominated play against Valley year after year, and Monday afternoon, Jack Shambaugh saw things from the other side of the fence.
Shambaugh, a long-time coach at Valley, is now an assistant coach at Warsaw.
"Coach Shambaugh and I have been friends for years," said Orban. "We're pleased he came on as a coach. The kids really respect him. As soon as we asked him, he said he wanted to do it. The first week we were out there, he says, 'Gosh, this is a really good team.' I know he loves Tippe Valley, but we're please he came on the staff as a coach."
The Tigers are in action today as they host Northern Lakes Conference foe Elkhart Memorial. Valley travels to Glenn Wednesday.
WARSAW 5, T. VALLEY 0
Singles
No. 1 - Ashley Harrison (W) def. Adela Zmelikova 6-1, 6-2
No. 2 - Milgaros Ridoutt (W) def. Brooke Prate 6-0, 6-0
No. 3 - Jessica Sadler (W) def. Lindsey Stavedahl 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
No. 1 - Brandy Allen/Jill Harrison (W) def. Andrea Kindig/Maribeth Martin 6-1, 6-1
No. 2 - Alicia Swank/Gabby Schlitt (W) def. Sheena Reed/Allison Rock 6-1, 6-0
JV - Warsaw 8, T. Valley 1
Singles
No. 1 - Anushri Gokhale (W) def. Susan Hamilton 8-2
No. 2 - Erin Coppes (W) def. Krista Hamilton 8-0
No. 3 - Sara Whitehead (W) def. Kendra Buss 8-2
No. 4 - Rachael Wilson-Tilton (W) def. Jenna Wireman 8-5
No. 5 - Danielle DeGeeter (W) def. Sarah Howard 8-0
Doubles
No. 1 - Karley Sasso/Danielle DeGeeter (W) def. Kelsey Kitch/Tara Scott 8-2
No. 2 - Lauren Piper/Tarissa Martin (W) def. Ashley Korser/Jamie Weaver 8-1
No. 3 - Kristin Fenix/Amy Jackson (TV) def. Laura Buitargo/Kristin Wilson-Tilton 8-6
No. 4 - Anushri Gokhale/Erin Coppes (W) def. Brooke Ellis/Alyssa Thompson 8-0
