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AKRON - After his team was done stretching before practice Thursday, Tippecanoe Valley boys tennis coach Rod Hamman was giving a pre-Warsaw Sectional pep talk of sorts. He was speaking of money and confidence.
First, he told his players to bring money for lunch, as if he was saying, "Hey, we're gonna be there for the championship round anyway." Then he told his players that if they played the way they're capable of, and if they played with confidence, they'd be right in the thick of things.
He gave the impression he was planning on making a day of the Warsaw Sectional. He told his players he really believed they could be right there with the host team.
The Vikings will play Whitko at 10 a.m. Saturday in the first round of the sectional. At the same time, Warsaw will entertain Wawasee. The winners will meet for the championship at 2 p.m.
"We've played Whitko before," said Hamman. "We're not going to take them lightly but we're planning on making a day of it."
Valley defeated Whitko 4-1 earlier in the season and brings an 11-3 overall season record to the table Saturday.
Hamman was asked if he thought it would be as easy with Whitko as it was last time.
"Whitko has impoved," said Hamman. "Their guys have come on, but if we play like we're capable of it can be."
If the Vikings get past Whitko, like Hamman says he thinks his team should, and if Warsaw disposes of Wawasee, it would set up a rematch of last year's sectional championship. The Tigers beat Valley 5-0 for the title a year ago. According to Hamman, who has been coaching the Vikings for 15 years, Valley has never won a boys tennis sectional.
"I would say they're the strongest team," said Hamman of Warsaw. "Give them credit they're a good team. It's not going to be easy, but if we come focused, that's our only chance. We have to be focused."
Hamman went on to say that what would help the Vikings Saturday was team depth.
"I've been real pleased with our team depth," he said. "We're stronger this year because of that. I've been real pleased the last couple of weeks. Manchester's No. 1 doubles team has beat some good teams, our No. 1 doubles team took them to three sets."
Hamman also said that Warsaw has some team depth despite injuries to key players.
"I know they were hurt bad against Goshen and they almost beat them," said Hamman. "They have kids waiting in the wings, that's what makes them so good."
For Valley to be successful, Hamman said the whole team would have to be on their game but mentioned two players individually who have played well as of late.
"Drew Shafer (No. 1 singles) has really come on with the mental aspect," said Hamman. "He's learning how to win, and that goes a long way. Luke (Shambaugh) at No. 3 singles has gone 5-1 over the last couple of weeks. Is that good enough to win the sectional? We'll have to wait and see."
The winning team will advance to the Elkhart Central Regional set to be played on Tuesday. Also advancing are the winning No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles players from the losing team.
Listed below are the records, oppenents, and sectional sites for area boys tennis teams
Warsaw (9-3) vs. Wawasee at 10 a.m. Saturday in Warsaw Sectional
Wawasee (4-12) vs. Warsaw at 10 a.m. Saturday in Warsaw Sectional
Tippecanoe Valley (11-3) vs. Whitko at 10 a.m. Saturday in Warsaw Sectional
Whitko (0-14) vs. Tippecanoe Valley at 10 a.m. Saturday in Warsaw Sectional
NorthWood (6-8) vs. Bethany Christian at 9 a.m. Saturday in NorthWood Sectional
Manchester (11-2) vs. Wabash at 5 p.m. today in Peru Sectional
Triton (4-9) vs. Bremen at 9 a.m. Saturday in Bremen Sectional
