Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
AKRON - During a break in Monday's Tippecanoe Valley/Jimtown boys tennis match, Viking coach Rod Hamman told No. 1 singles player Drew Shafer if he were to win, he had to want it.
Apparently he did, as did his teammates.
The Vikings upped their overall season record to 4-2 by sweeping the Jimmies 5-0. Valley's junior varsity team cruised past Jimtown 5-0 as well and is now 2-1 on the year.
"Year in and year out, Jimtown is a decent team," Hamman, in his 16th year with the Vikings, said. "Our goal was to come out and beat them. We picked them up five years ago, and we'd never beaten them. The guys came out and played hard, I'm pleased with that."
At No. 1 singles, Shafer jumped out to an early 1-0 lead over senior Toby Dowd in the first set but then fell behind 5-4. Shafer, a senior, took the lead again at 6-5, going on to win 7-5. Shafer topped Dowd 6-2 in the second set, giving the Vikings their third match of the game.
"Drew, for the most part, was on serve that first set," Hamman said. "I told Drew to enjoy the battle. I think the score was 5-4 at one point, but then he finally got some breaks. Drew has mental toughness. I told him to keep going for shots and battling, not too
much, but when he had the opportunities. Drew stroked well tonight. Drew had more of an answer for (Dowd) than (Dowd) had for Drew."
Valley's first two wins of the evening came at No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles.
At the third singles position, Luke Shambaugh bested junior Aaron Pigors 6-3, 6-1.
The No. 1 doubles team of Brian Love and Andy Martin topped senior Brian Warren and freshman Tylor Saunders 6-1, 6-3.
"I think the biggest thing for the No. 1 doubles team is that they have experience together," Hamman said. "This is their third year together. They are court smart. They place the ball well and attack when they need to."
At the No. 2 doubles slot, Scott Kindig and Zach Shambaugh topped junior Jason Barrett and sophomore Nick Brown 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
In the evening's longest match, Valley's Phil Jackson got past junior Ben Wood 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 at the No. 2 singles slot.
After splitting the first two sets, Jackson took a 4-3 lead in the third set, forcing Wood to chase the ball from side to side on nearly every shot.
"Phil is a competitor," Hamman said. "The Jimtown boy, give him credit, made some great shots. He was tough to figure out. Phil is one to keep plugging away. There's no die in him."
After the match Hamman spoke of starting a tennis tradition. When asked about Valley's domination of the Jimmies, he said can't remember a time the Vikings played that well from top to bottom.
"This was the first match we were at full strength," Hamman said. "I can't think of a specific match last year (with the same dominance). We won a couple 5-0 last year, but as far as being solid from top to bottom against a good team, this may be the best."
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 5, JIMTOWN 0
Singles
No. 1 - Drew Shafer (TV) def. Toby Dowd 7-5, 6-2
No. 2 - Phil Jackson (TV) def. Ben Wood 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
No. 3 - Luke Shambaugh (TV) def. Aaron Pigors 6-3, 6-1
Doubles
No. 1 - Brian Love/Andy Martin (TV) def. Brian Warren/Tylor Saunders 6-1, 6-3
No. 2 - Scott Kindig/Zach Shambaugh (TV) def. Jason Barrett/Nick Brown 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
JV - Tippecanoe Valley 5, Jimtown 0
Singles
No. 1 - Sam Vanlaningham (TV) def. Josh Hellman 8-1
No. 2 - Stuart Jackson (TV) def. Derek Smith 6-2
No. 3 - Brad Roberts (TV) def. Bill Moyer 6-3
Doubles
No. 1 - TV wins by forfeit
No. 2 - TV wins by forfeit
