Rick Orban isn’t into moral victories. Far from it, admitted Warsaw’s veteran tennis coach. Wednesday’s 5-0 loss to the eight-ranked Homestead Spartans is as close as Orban will get to smiling after being defeated. “Homestead is an incredible team, and we knew that,” said Orban, whose team fell to 6-3 on the season a night after a key 3-2 Northern Lakes Conference win at Northridge. “Homestead just lost 3-2 to Leo, and Leo is No. 4, I think, and Leo was a final four team last year. Leo’s 1, 2 & 3 singles are incredible, and Homestead’s 1 & 2 doubles are some of the best doubles teams in the state. “Before tonight’s match, I told the kids we’ve got nothing to lose, just go out, be loose and go for your shots. We got waxed, there’s no two ways about it, but you can’t complain when you get beat by a team that is just flat-out better than you.” Homestead won all five varsity matches in straight sets. In fact, on only one court did the Tigers win more than four games. At No. 1 singles, Homestead’s David Heiney defeated Colton Lind 6-0, 6-1. At No. 2 singles, Thomas Wier beat Warsaw’s Andrew Gauger 6-3, 6-3. And at No. 3 singles, Homestead’s Will Mine topped David Homme 6-1, 6-0. In No. 1 doubles action, the Spartans’ duo of Jordan Andrews and Jeff Reinking won 6-2, 6-2 over Ryan Wettschurack and Hayden Steger. And at No. 2 doubles, Homestead’s Evan Castle and Nick Graber defeated Justin Stout and Spencer Britton 6-1, 6-1. Homestead’s JV team beat Warsaw in 11 of 15 matches contested Wednesday. “I’m happy with the way the kids are playing,” Orban said of his team. “Andrew Gauger at No. 2 singles kept his opponent out there. They played a great match. Our No. 2 doubles played a really solid match. All in all, I’m pretty happy with the way we played. “I’m one of those guys, I do not believe in moral victories. So, this is far from that, but what I’m hoping it does is show the kids just how much they need to improve.” The Tigers are in action tonight, as they travel to Fort Wayne to play Canterbury.
