Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The day of Oct. 8, 1997, still sticks in the mind of Warsaw boys tennis coach Andy Lewis.
His players, they hadn't forgotten, either. The Tigers lost to Goshen 3-2 in the regional finals.
So that's why Wednesday's 5-0 win over Elkhart Central to start the 1998 season was so important to Lewis and his players.
"This was a sweet victory today, most of all, because the last time we played we lost a 3-2 heartbreaker to Goshen," Lewis said. "This was good for the kids."
Never mind that five of Elkhart Central's seven players in the varsity lineup were sophomores. Never mind that all seven Warsaw players are either juniors or seniors.
A win's a win, and Lewis wasn't about to apologize for it.
"Elkhart Central was young, but they still had a lot of decent players," he said. "I can't remember ever beating Elkhart Central 5-0."
Before the season, Lewis said the Tigers had good chances of winning at three spots in the lineup every time they took the court: No. 1 singles and both doubles.
They came through as expected. Ryan VanPuffelen, who rarely lost as a No. 2 singles player last year, won the No. 1 singles match 6-3, 6-0 over Peter Lee. Owen Compton and Matt Krizmanich won the No. 1 doubles match over Andy Chamer and Cody Hawkins 6-3, 7-5 (10-8). Steve Slaughter and Eric Grossnickle won the No. 2 doubles match over Matt Tyhach and John Walter 6-0, 6-2.
Lewis does not know what to expect of his Nos. 2 and 3 singles players, because both played doubles last year. They handled their new roles fine Wednesday, as Dan Benyousky won his No. 2 singles match over Ben Weiss 6-3, 6-3. Pete Hake won the No. 3 singles match 6-3, 6-1 over Jeff Kurtze.
The guy Lewis wanted to talk about after Wednesday's win was Benyousky. Not only did he change spots in Warsaw's lineup, he changed his appearance. Benyousky, who had the shoulder-length locks a year ago, sported a short haircut.
"Dan was real consistent," Lewis said. "He had the good forehand, and he ran down a lot of balls. He was moving well."
And the story behind the haircut?
"Now he says this wasn't the reason why, but you remember Wawasee's loud No. 2 doubles team last year?" Lewis asked. "They would say 'MMMBop' every time they walked past him, for Hanson. Now he says that's not why he got it cut, but I'm not so sure."
What Lewis is sure about is getting out on the court and winning this match helped heal a lot of the wounds left from Oct. 8, 1997.
Warsaw, 1-0, hosts Mishawaka Marian at 4:30 this afternoon.
WARSAW 5, ELKHART CENTRAL 0
Singles
No. 1 -ÊRyan VanPuffelen def. Peter Lee 6-3, 6-0
No. 2 -ÊDan Benyousky def. Ben Weiss 6-3, 6-3
No. 3 -ÊPete Hake def. Jeff Kurtze 6-3, 6-1
Doubles
No. 1 -ÊOwen Compton/Matt Krizmanich def. Andy Chamer/Cody Hawkins 6-3, 7-5, 10-8
No. 2 - Steve Slaughter/Eric Grossnickle def. Matt Tyhach/John Walter 6-0, 6-2
