Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MIDDLEBURY - It's become a rite of spring. The days become longer, the weather becomes warmer and the Warsaw girls tennis team wins a regional championship.
For the fifth straight year, the Tigers are headed to the sweet 16 with a 4-1 win over an upstart Elkhart Central squad Wednesday afternoon.
And this year's squad holds a special place in Warsaw head coach Rick Orban's heart.
"For the first time in five years I have a team that trusts and believes in each other," said Orban.
That could be seen against the Blue Blazers as Warsaw wins provided momentum for the players still on the court.
For the second time in as many days Jessica Sadler was the first player off the court for Warsaw in the No. 3 singles match.
Sadler had little trouble with Central's Emily Owens in a 6-0, 6-1 win.
"It sets the tone so much for the team," said Orban of quick wins by both Sadler and the No. 2 doubles tandem of Alicia Swank and Gabby Schlitt. "The other girls see that they've won and it boosts their game."
Warsaw is aided by the fact that as Sadler's game grows so does her confidence.
"On the bus ride here tonight I had the chance to talk to each girl individually," said Orban. "And when I talked to Jess tonight she said, 'Coach, I go out and I win'. That's not her being arrogant. She just feels really good about her game right now."
Swank and Schlitt also had little trouble in their match against Caroline McNeill and Katie Palumbo en route to a 6-1, 6-2 win.
"Alicia and Gabby are just wonderful kids and so easy to work with," said Orban.
With Warsaw up 2-0 after the first two matches were completed, the Warsaw faithful waited to see what match would bring the Tigers their fifth straight regional championship.
Shortly after the No. 2 doubles match ended, the No. 1 doubles team of Jillian Harrison and Brandy Allen sealed the proverbial deal for Warsaw with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over Lauren Freve and Tracy Seaver.
Allen and Harrison showed some intensity after dropping the first set.
"No. 1 doubles played their best match all year. They were so solid. Even after dropping the first set," said Orban.
In the most contentious match of the night, Warsaw's Milagros Ridoutt won in No. 2 singles action over Central sophomore Mallory Welch 6-2, 7-6 (7-3).
Riddout seemed frustrated at points with Welch's line calls and perceived heckling from fans.
And while Welch posed some problems for Riddout, the Tiger senior was able to remain composed enough to win 6-2, 7-6 (7-3).
Central's Madeline Bond was able to defeat Warsaw's Ashley Harrison in the final match of the night, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) in No. 1 singles action.
With the win, Warsaw moves on to the LaPorte semistate where the Tigers will take on Culver Academy. The Eagles beat Warsaw earlier in the year 5-0 but that was without the services of Sadler or the doubles duo of Harrison and Allen.
After their match against Fairfield, Orban said his team's goal since day one of this year was to get to and then through semistate.
In the four previous years that the Tigers have gone to semistate they have been unable to break through that barrier.
For Orban, what sets this squad apart from others isn't the physical.
"Tennis is a very mental game. If you totally believe it you're 90 percent. This team really believes they're going to win," said Orban.
The Tigers, 13-2 as a team this year, take on the Eagles at Kesling Middle School in LaPorte at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The winner of that match will take on the winner of the Chesterton and Crown Point with the championship match scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
WARSAW 4, ELK. CENTRAL 1
Singles
No. 1 - Madeline Bond (EC) def. Ashley Harrison 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)
No. 2 - Milagros Ridoutt (W) def. Mallory Welch 6-2, 7-6 (7-3)
No. 3 - Jessica Sadler (W) def. Emily Owens 6-0, 6-1
Doubles
No. 1 - Brandy Allen/Jill Harrison (W) def. Lauren Freve/Tracy Seaver 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
No. 2 - Alicia Swank/Gabby Schlitt (W) def. Caroline McNeill/Kaite Palumbo 6-1, 6-2
