Valley Vikings Open Tennis Sectional With WinIn the words of coach Jack Shambaugh, Tippecanoe Valley’s boys tennis team is “coming together at a good time.” The Vikings were certainly on top of their game Wednesday evening, as they defeated the Columbia City Eagles 4-1 in the opening match of the Warsaw Sectional. The match started on the courts at Warsaw Community High School, but rain forced the action indoors at Warsaw Tennis and Fitness. Despite the change of venue, Valley appeared comfortable in the tournament surroundings. “It’s the mental part of the game,” said Shambaugh. “The tennis court is the same size no matter which way you slice it, but when you go from outdoors in the elements to coming inside you really have to stay focused. That’s what I told the kids on the bus before we came inside, I said ‘we’re starting at zero again as far as I’m concerned, even though we have a nice lead. We still gotta come in and finish.’ And to their credit, they did. They came in focused.” The Vikings won the first set on all five courts before play was moved indoors. En route to the 4-1 win, which advanced Valley into the sectional semifinals against Wawasee, the Vikings won at No. 2 and 3 singles and on both doubles courts. The sectional semifinals, which also include the host Tigers playing Whitko, are scheduled for today. In the event of rain, they would be rescheduled for Friday as the indoor facility is not available today. Regardless of when and where the semifinals are played, Shambaugh is excited his team is going to be a part of it. “That’s exciting for the kids, and exciting for us too (as coaches). We haven’t done that in a while,” Shambaugh said of advancing in the state tournament. “For us to win a match in the sectional, that’s nice.” At No. 1 singles, Columbia City senior Dillon Reed beat Valley senior Keith Wright in the longest match of the evening, winning 2-6, 6-4, 7-5. Valley junior Eric Wright scored the first team point of the match, beating sophomore Jackson Longenbaugh 6-0, 6-3 at No. 3 singles. Junior Seth Hoffman then put Valley up 2-0 with a 6-0, 6-3 win over junior Braden Baker at No. 2 singles. The Vikings clinched the match when juniors Garrett Feldman and Dakota Parker beat sophomore Jordan Lee and freshman Eli Jones 6-0, 6-2 in No. 1 doubles action. At No. 2 doubles, Valley’s duo of seniors Dylan Sponseller and Chris Schipper beat junior Garrett Anspach and sophomore Jacob Ianucilli 6-3, 7-5. “The last two or three matches, it’s like the light bulb went on, and now we’re figuring out how to win matches,” said Shambaugh. “It’s exciting for them. I’m real happy for these guys. They’re figuring out how to win tennis matches. We’re coming together at good time.”
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 4, COLUMBIA CITY 1 Singles: No. 1 – Dillon Reed (CC) def. Keith Wright 2-6, 6-4, 7-5; No. 2 – Seth Hoffman (TV) def. Braden Baker 6-0, 6-3; No. 3 – Eric Wright (TV) def. Jackson Longenbaugh 6-0, 6-3 Doubles: No. 1 – Garrett Feldman & Dakota Parker (TV) def. Jordan Lee & Eli Jones 6-0, 6-2; No. 2 – Dylan Sponseller & Chris Schipper (TV) def. Garrett Anspach & Jacob Ianucilli 6-3, 7-5 Semifinals: Scheduled for today, Valley vs Wawasee; Warsaw vs Whitko
