Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
After a disappointing end to last season, the Warsaw boys tennis team avoided a letdown against a game Tippecanoe Valley squad and won 4-1 to advance to Tuesday's Concord regional.
The 2004 version of the Tigers fell to an upstart Wawasee squad in the sectional final.
"I think we were ready today," said Warsaw head coach Rick Orban. "There was no overconfidence heading into this match."
While the match didn't last much more than an hour, Valley wasn't gun shy.
No. 1 singles player James Makula attacked the net and kept Warsaw's Mike Chanthalangsy on his heels in a match that had both players frustrated.
Both players racked up some unforced errors but also provided some of the more entertaining points of Saturday.
Makula, down a set and trailing 5-3 in the second set after holding serve, got up 30-0 on Chanthalangsy before eventually losing the match on an ace by Chanthalangsy.
Chanthalangsy was the third winner for Warsaw and sealed the sectional crown for the Tigers.
Ben Voorhorst was the first off the court for the Tigers with a 6-0, 6-2 over Rosten Hamman.
Voorhorst has been the steadiest player for Warsaw over the second part of the season and Orban said his No. 3 singles player game has improved because of "ultimate confidence".
Warsaw's Jason Sells, who played No. 1 singles for Warsaw last year, cruised in the first set 6-0 over Valley's Rob Hamman. Hamman came out more aggressive in the second set playing even with Sells for the first half of the second set before falling 6-3 in the second match to finish Saturday.
Valley picked up its lone win in No. 2 doubles action and was the third match off the court as Brady Kinsel and Derrick Rose upended Warsaw's Ben Kawsky and Mark Krizmanich 6-2, 6-4.
"They were nervous because they put a lot of pressure on themselves," said Orban of Kawsky and Krizmanich. "They were aware of the talent Valley had at singles and No. 1 doubles so they felt like they had to win and they didn't play well today. But when they came off the court they said 'don't worry about it, we'll be there for you at regional' and that's the attitude you want them to have."
As has become a custom of sorts, the No. 1 doubles duo of Warsaw's Jason Ummel and Deon Shafer were the final match of the day.
Shafer and Ummel were tested by a talented Valley duo of Aaron Foster and Trenton Newsome. The Tigers topped Kinsel and Rose 6-2 in the first set but struggled to put away the Vikings at times and allowed Foster and Newsome to grab the momentum at times in the second set.
With the rest of the Warsaw squad anxiously waiting to begin the celebration, Ummel and Shafer finally outlasted the Vikings in the second set with a 6-4 win.
While Warsaw was happy with the win, it was a subdued celebration.
The Tigers' aim is much more than a sectional title.
"After the second week of practice the cheer at the end of practice changed," said Orban though didn't say what the cheer was. "You could see the belief in this team. Nothing was going to stop this team from winning sectional."
While the Vikings gave a yeoman-like effort, they failed to unseat the Tigers or advance anyone any player individually.
"I couldn't be any more proud of this team," said Valley head coach Rod Hamman. "We had great senior leadership all year. Warsaw was just better today. We came out to play tennis and played to win today. There was a time when that wouldn't be the case."
The Vikings finish their season with a record of 14-4.
Warsaw moves to 11-3 overall and take on Fairfield in the opening round of the Concord regional. Concord and DeKalb face off in the other half of the bracket.
WARSAW 4, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 1
Singles
No. 1 - Mike Chanthalangsy (W) def. James Makula 6-4, 6-3
No. 2 - Jason Sells (W) def. Rob Hamman 6-0, 6-3
No. 3 - Ben Voorhorst (W) def. Rosten Hamman 6-0, 6-2
Doubles
No. 1 - Jason Ummel/Deon Shafer (W) def. Aaron Foster/Trenton Newsome 6-2, 6-3
No. 2 - Brady Kinsel/Derrick Rose (TV) def. Ben Kawsky/Mark Krizmanich 6-2, 6-4
