Vikings, host Indians reach final

Updated: September 28, 2011 10:06PM

PORTAGE — If Valparaiso wants to extend its sectional winning streak to 16, the Vikings will have to go through this year’s sectional host to accomplish the feat, as both the Vikings and Portage advanced with 4-1 victories in the opening round of the Portage Sectional.

“It’s always exciting to advance in the tournament,” said Valparaiso coach Tim Shideler after his team eliminated Wheeler. “Even though we didn’t play them, by looking at the results on the schedule, we knew Wheeler had a good team.”

In three of the four matches that Valparaiso won, the Vikings took the first set without losing a single game.

“We tried to get off to a good start so that we could dictate the play,” said Shideler.

The Vikings’ No. 2 doubles pairing of Tyler Costas and Peter Williams caught the coach’s attention with their 6-0, 6-2 win.

“I was really happy with their performance,” Shideler said. “That’s a new combination there, and I think it worked out well today.”

On the other half of the courts, a new lineup from a familiar foe awaited Portage when they took on DAC rival Chesterton.

“They had a different lineup from the last time we played them just a few weeks ago,” said Portage coach Gary Hayes. “I knew this was going to be a tough match, but our kids responded very well.”

Portage’s Patrick Derr swept a tiebreaker in the first set on his way to a 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 triumph.

John Fannin (No. 2 singles) and Zachary Smith (No. 3 singles) won their matches by identical 6-4, 6-0 scores.

The Indians top doubles pairing of Tyler Soberg and Jeff McElfresh brought home the final Portage point with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) win.

Today’s sectional championship between the rival DAC schools will be a rematch from last Monday, when the Vikings swept the Indians 5-0.

“We’re going to have to get another good start,” said Valparaiso’s top singles player, Ben Kalisch. “They’re not a team that is going to give up.”

“Valparaiso is a great team,” Hayes said. “When you have the horses at the top of the lineup like they do, it puts pressure on everybody. I’m just looking for my younger players to come out and compete. We’ll see what happens from there.”

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