Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Warsaw's Jason Ummel and Deon Shafer have lost just twice this year, falling to state-ranked Penn and Park Tudor.
But there's something about Wawasee's Andrew Custer and Ryan Harkleroad that gives them fits.
With every other match of Thursday's Warsaw Sectional semifinal round decided in less than an hour, the two doubles tandems fought each other and dwindling daylight before the host Tigers came out on top 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 to beat the Warriors 5-0 and advance to the sectional final against Tippecanoe Valley, which beat Churubusco 5-0.
It's the second time this year Ummel and Shafer went three sets and defeated Custer and Harkleroad.
"It's a great match to watch," said Warsaw head coach Rick Orban. "(Custer and Harkleroad) play with so much guts and determination they make opponents hit more and miss more."
Ben Voorhorst was the first off the court for Warsaw with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Justin McDowell.
The Tigers picked up their second win when Jason Sells easily dispatched of Ryan Edgington in No. 2 singles action 6-1, 6-0.
No. 1 singles Mike Chanthalangsy clinched the match for Warsaw when he walked off the court with a 6-1, 6-1 win against Josh Bohnstedt.
"Mike went out and never wavered," said Orban of Chanthalangsy. "He played his game. The same goes for Jason (Sells) and Ben (Voorhorst), that may be a record. It seems like he was on the court and off just as quick. They all really stayed in it mentally."
Ben Kawsky and Mark Krizmanich gave up some points in the first set to Wawasee's Tyler Wear and Hayden Shock but came away with a 6-2, 6-0 win.
In the night's featured match, Shafer and Ummel looked out of it early and the Warriors took advantage. Wawasee had livelier legs and used that to its advantage to gain the 7-5 first-set win.
Warsaw then fought back to win the second set 6-3 and force a third set.
Three of the first five games went to deuce with the Warriors holding on to a 3-2 advantage. Shafer then held serve after being down to square the match at 3-3.
The first broken serve came in the next game when Harkleroad struggled to get his first serve over.
That allowed Warsaw to sit back and attack his second serve and take the lead at 4-3.
Some of the most exciting points of the night came as the Tigers extended their lead to 5-3.
Custer and Harkleroad showed their resolve in the final game of the evening.
Shafer and Ummel needed six match points before they finally dispatched of the Warriors.
The Tigers came out fresh after a season-ending match against Mishawaka Marian that shook things up for the team.
Sells and Ummel, both seniors, wanted to play doubles together, so that moved Shafer to No. 1 singles, Voorhorst to No. 2 singles and Chanthalangsy to No. 3. According to Orban, Chanthalangsy played No. 3 because he wanted to rest.
"It was time for them to have fun before tournament time," said Orban of the Marian match. "Because once you get to the tournament it's one and done."
Warsaw's next opponent is an upstart Tippecanoe Valley squad that tore through Churubusco in just 40 minutes.
James Makula and Rob Hamman failed to lose a game in their 6-0, 6-0 wins in No. 1 and No. 2 singles respectively.
Rosten Hamman won his game in No. 3 singles by default.
The Vikings' No. 1 Aaron Foster and Trenton Newsome gave up the lone Churubusco point in a 6-0, 6-1 win over Austin Murray and Zac Sorg.
Brady Kinsel and Derrick Rose beat up on Elliot Gaff and Trevin Geiger 6-0, 6-0 in No. 2 doubles action.
"We wanted the guys to come out and play their game," said Valley head coach Rod Hamman. "I wanted them to come out strong and avoid an early letdown."
Warsaw and Valley will face off Saturday at 10 a.m. at the tennis courts at Warsaw Community High School at 10 a.m.
WARSAW 5, WAWASEE 0
Singles
No. 1 - Mike Chanthalangsy (War) def. Josh Bohnstedt 6-1, 6-1
No. 2 - Jason Sells (War) def. Ryan Edgington 6-1, 6-0
No. 3 - Ben Voorhorst (War) def. Justin McDowell 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
No. 1 - Jason Ummel/Deon Shafer (War) def. Andrew Custer/Ryan Harkleroad 5-7, 6-3, 6-3
No. 2 - Ben Kawsky/Mark Krizmanich (War) def. Tyler Wear/Hayden Shock 6-2, 6-0
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 5, CHURUBUSCO 0
Singles
No. 1 - James Makula (TV) def. Andrew Schemm 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 - Rob Hamman (TV) def. Ryan Geiger 6-0, 6-0
No. 3 -ÊRosten Hamman (TV) won by forfeit
Doubles
No. 1 -ÊAaron Foster/Trent Newsome (TV) def. Austin Murray/Zac Sorg 6-0, 6-1
No. 2 - Brady Kinsel/Derrick Rose (TV) def. Elliot Gaff/Trevin Geiger 6-0, 6-0
