Delta fought off a stiff challenge from Mt. Vernon and eventually came away with a 5-0 victory on Senior Night to earn another Hoosier Heritage Conference boys’ tennis championship.
But Monday evening’s victory wasn’t as easy as the score indicates.
Mt. Vernon, which entered with a 15-1 record overall and 6-0 league mark, was competitive at nearly every position. The Marauders have put together an impressive season considering they have played every match on the road while their new tennis complex has been under construction.
But 23rd-ranked Delta improved to 16-3 overall and 7-0 in the league as the Eagles claimed their 20th HHC title in boys’ tennis. The Eagles became the first team in any sport in HHC history to claim 20 titles.
Delta continued its dominance of league competition. They finished 34-1 in varsity singles and doubles matches against HHC opponents, losing only a doubles match to Shelbyville in a third-set tiebreaker early in the season.
A large crowd Monday evening braved unusual 90-degree temperatures on Senior Night to watch the latest match. Seniors played a huge role in the win for Delta as all five seniors played varsity.
Senior Daniel Vencel was first off the court with a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 3 singles. In his first season of varsity tennis, Vencel ended the regular season with a 15-6 record.
Seniors Cade Brown and Mason Knight won 6-4, 6-1 at No. 1 doubles and also finished the regular season with a 15-6 record in their first season together.
Junior Tanner Southerland continued his recent hot play with his fifth straight win, this time 6-3, 6-3 over Mt. Vernon’s Haiden Rose at No. 1 singles. Southerland is 13-9 in his first year at No. 1 singles after two seasons as the No. 3 singles player.
Junior Brandon Jackson followed with a 6-3, 6-3 victory of his own at No. 2 singles over Chris Hays. Jackson is now 19-3 this fall in his first season of varsity singles after previously being a doubles standout for the Eagles.
The last match at No. 2 doubles went three sets. Seniors Jaigen Glaze and Devin McKinley rallied for a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 win to complete the Eagles’ sweep. Glaze is 15-3 in his first season of full-time varsity play while McKinley is 6-0 varsity and 19-0 at the JV level. He has earned his first varsity letter.
Delta and Mt. Vernon battled to a 7-7 tie in the JV match. The young Eagles finished with a 13-2-1 record at the JV level.
The Eagles will next compete in the sectional on their home courts. Muncie Central and Muncie Burris start the sectional at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, with Delta facing Yorktown at 4:45 p.m. Thursday. The finals will be 11 a.m. Saturday.
Delta will be attempting to win its 27th straight boys’ tennis sectional championship.
Complete Results:
Varsity Singles
1. Tanner Southerland won 6-3, 6-3
2. Brandon Jackson won 6-3, 6-3
3. Daniel Vencel won 6-1, 6-2
Varsity Doubles
1. Cade Brown / Mason Knight won 6-4, 6-1
2. Jaigen Glaze / Devin McKinley won 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
JV Singles
1. Josef Zacek won 6-3
2. Adam Altobella won 6-3
3. Owen Vest won 7-6
4. Eli Arnold lost 1-6
5. Sam Arnold lost 3-6
6. Cooper Roach won 6-0
7. Colin McCrady won 6-2
JV Doubles
1. Riley Windsor / Aidan Landis won 7-6
2. Walker Boyle / Landon Freiburger lost 2-6
3. Ross Meacham / Jordan Ashton won 6-3
4. Riley Bratton / Brad Shue lost 4-6
5. Mason Wrisley / Kaiden Baty lost 3-6
6. Isaac Anderson / Logan Anderson lost 2-6
7. Heath Sprague / Camden Ratliff lost 1-6
JV Records
Seniors
Devin McKinley 19-0
Juniors
Riley Windsor 19-0
Josef Zacek 19-5
Jordan Ashton 18-6
Sam Arnold 10-12
Sophomores
Landon Freiburger 15-3
Eli Arnold 16-6
Adam Altobella 15-6
Aidan Landis 14-6
Brad Shue 12-5
Ross Meacham 12-7
Kaiden Baty 10-7
Cooper Roach 8-8
Logan Anderson 7-11
Mason Wrisley 4-10
Freshmen
Owen Vest 16-7
Riley Bratton 14-9
Colin McCrady 12-8
Isaac Anderson 7-11
Camden Ratliff 4-11
Heath Sprague 3-12