Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
AKRON - While football practice took place in the adjacent field, the hard-hitting took place on the tennis courts at Tippecanoe Valley High School as the Vikings edged rival Whitko in Three Rivers Conference action 3-2 Tuesday afternoon.
The score may not indicate it but one of the most entertaining matches of the night took place at No. 1 singles as Whitko's Doru Aldea beat out James Makula 6-1, 6-1.
Aldea, who has lost just twice this year, seemed able to return anything Makula sent his way and blended a nice combination of powerful forehands and well-placed drop shots.
"Doru is about as solid a player as you will find," said Whitko head coach Larry Schuh. "He's not shaken by anything."
Valley's Rob Hamman avenged a loss to the Wildcats' Calvin Sellers in this year's TRC individual championships with a 6-0, 6-4 win.
Hamman struggled late in the match with connecting on easy finishing shots but was able to overcome that and put Sellers away.
Hamman's brother Rosten won the first set of his match against Brett King 6-3 but then struggled losing the next two sets 6-0, 6-0.
"He's a tough player," said Schuh of King. "Once he gets going he's tough to beat. He's a slow starter but real confident."
The No. 1 doubles match was the second off the court Tuesday behind the Aldea/Makula match. The Vikings' Aaron Foster and Trent Newsome had trouble with Chris Shoemaker and Shannon Sleighter in the first set, winning 6-3. Foster and Newsome cut down on unforced errors and attacked more to win the second set and the match 6-3, 6-0.
Brady Kinsel and Derrick Rose also looked sharp for Valley with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Whitko's Taylor Kessie and Dan Aldea. The Viking duo continually placed shots just out of the reach of Whitko and kept the Wildcats out of a rhythm.
Valley head coach Rod Hamman spent much of his night watching the two doubles teams and was left impressed by both of their performances.
"Our No. 2 doubles are playing real well," said coach Hamman. "When they're playing aggressive and with a lot of confidence they are tough to beat. Our No. 1 doubles had a tough weekend. They lost a couple of tough three-setters. Now I think they've turned the corner. When they play with confidence they are very good."
With the win, Valley picks up its first win in the TRC. The Vikings and Whitko are now both 1-1 in conference with Manchester having yet to play a conference match.
"The TRC is really about who brings best team at that time," said Schuh.
Valley now gears up for its Thursday match with the Squires. Hamman knows that the match will be a tough one.
"Manchester is always well coached. Eric (Christiansen) does a nice job with his team. We'll have to come ready to play. The guys will have to be mentally prepared to play. All of them."
The Vikings moved to 11-3 overall.
Whitko, 4-5 overall, is in action Tuesday when it travels to Prairie Heights Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
VALLEY 3, WHITKO 2
Singles
No. 1 - Doru Aldea (W) def. James Makula 6-1, 6-1
No. 2 - Rob Hamman (TV) def. Calvin Sellers 6-0, 6-4
No. 3 - Brett King (W) def. Rosten Hamman 3-6, 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
No. 1 - Aaron Foster/Trent Newsome (TV) def. Chris Shoemaker 6-3, 6-0
No. 2 - Brady Kinsel/Derrick Rose (TV) def. 6-1, 6-1
JV - Valley 4, Whitko 2
Singles
No. 1 - Brandon Reiff (W) def. Landon Hendrix 8-7 (5)
No. 2 - Kyle Lowe (TV) def. Ben Wagner 8-4
No. 3 - David Geng (TV) def. Ben Ogden 8-4
No. 4 - Brandon Reiff (W) def. Corey Bauters 8-4
Doubles
No. 1 - Adam Martin/Josh Foster (TV) def. Andrew Nicodemus/Adam Nicodemus 8-4
No. 2 - James Bradford/Matt Smith (TV) def. Ben Wagner/Ben Ogden 8-4
