The better team on paper proved without a doubt it was also the better team on the court. In the opening round of the five-team boys tennis sectional at Warsaw Community High School, the host Tigers needed just an hour to beat the Whitko Wildcats 5-0 Wednesday evening. Warsaw, in search of its fourth consecutive sectional title and 28th in program history, was as dominant as the score indicates. Outside of the No. 1 singles match, which saw Warsaw senior Christopher Herendeen beat Whitko junior Bailey Platt 6-3, 6-2, the Tigers lost just three games. “I expected to win,” said veteran Warsaw coach Rick Orban. “I'm being honest. She (Whitko coach Victoria Cornell) has a great bunch of kids though ... very polite, courteous on the court, never quit, and that's saying a lot for them.” Warsaw sophomore Colton Lind scored the first team point, beating Whitko junior Cory Hersha 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2 singles. At No. 3 singles, Warsaw junior Andrew Gauger, the Northern Lakes Conference champion at that position, beat Wildcat junior Alex Bechtold 6-1, 6-0. The Tigers scored the decisive team point at No. 2 doubles, where junior Hudson Snyder and freshman Spencer Britton beat Whitko freshman Micah Cokl and senior Bill Stump 6-0, 6-0. Cokl was playing in place of sophomore Austin Hollowell. “We talked before the match, we knew their record and that they were short-handed most of the season,” said Orban. At No. 1 doubles, Warsaw juniors David Homme and Justin Stout beat the Whitko duo of senior Nic Rose and Tim Gensch 6-0, 6-1. Stout has played both No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles this season. Orban has the luxury of doing such things with his experienced players. The same can't be said for Victoria Cornell. Cornell is Whitko's fifth head coach in five years, and she said the majority of her players are playing tennis this season for the first time. “Experience is what really makes the difference, especially for us,” said Cornell. “We have a lot of boys who it's their first time picking up a racquet. We just don't have that experience of playing for years. I have three returners from the previous season, so it's really a big rebuilding year. I think once we get some of that experience, some consistency, it'll make a big difference.” Whitko concludes its season with a record of 3-13. With the win, Warsaw improved to 8-6 on the season and advanced to today's 4:30 p.m. semifinal against Columbia City. Tippecanoe Valley and Wawasee will play in the other semifinal, also slated to start at 4:30 p.m. Today's winners will advance to Friday's 4:30 p.m. sectional final.
