Members of the Tigers junior varsity tennis team squeegee off the courts before Whitko and Warsaw took the court for the sectional title match. (Photos by Nick Goralczyk)

WARSAW – Outlined against a blue-gray October sky the Warsaw tennis team was victorious once again. The Tigers completed the run to their third consecutive sectional title in dominating fashion.

After waiting nearly two hours for the match to start after rain had passed through the area, Whitko and Warsaw finally began to play for a sectional title and the underdog Wildcats were simply no match for the Tigers. Warsaw dominated every game, every set and every court with a sweeping 5-0 victory.

The 5-0 sweep was impressive, but not as impressive as how it was accomplished. Warsaw went 6-0, 6-0 on every court to give the Wildcats a swift exit.

The fantastic outing started up top with Sam Rice who defeated Whitko’s Cole Bechtold on the No. 1 singles court in a mere 22 minutes. Nic Jansen took command on the No. 2 singles court with a sweep of Bailey Platt. Caleb Ray followed suit in the No. 3 singles match against Whitko’s Austin Nettrouer.

On the No. 1 doubles court Cole Baker and Christopher Herendeen battled to another shutout win for the Tigers as they downed Whitko’s Alex Robbins and Alex Bechtold. Whitko had to forfeit the contest at No. 2 doubles, completing the sweep for Warsaw.

“It’s almost unrealistic to ask your guys to win every court 6-0,” began Warsaw head coach Rick Orban. “After watching everyone play last night, I talked to our guys and told them that as long as they stayed focused that we would be able to win here tonight. Obviously, they stayed focused.”

Orban’s Tigers will now move on to the IHSAA Regional at Culver Academies starting on Tuesday where they will most likely meet Northern Lakes Conference foe Plymouth for the third time this season. Plymouth took the first two meetings, including a 4-1 final in their league head-to-head match, but Orban knows his team can get a win against the Pilgrims.

“It’s always nice to have a third shot,” began Orban about the potential matchup. “You always learn from the first and second meetings. If the kids stay focused like they did tonight then I think we have a shot at it.”

Plymouth, which won three matches versus the Tigers in the finals of the NLC Tournament last Saturday en route to the title, is participating in the Bremen sectional which was postponed on Thursday night due to inclement weather.

Warsaw defeated the Pilgrims 3-2 a year ago in the regional championship match at Culver Academies.

Warsaw improves to 9-6 on the season, while Whitko finishes at 7-10.