Hurricane, Schmuricane!

The Eagles persevered through a difficult weather forecast Saturday.  With team members helping to dry the courts, the Delta Invitational began after a 60- to 90-minute rain delay and all eight teams were able to play two matches before late afternoon rain ended the tourney prematurely.

The championship match between Delta (12-5) and Western (15-1) was rained out.  It is possible the teams may be able to get together Tuesday evening to settle things, but that is not official at this point.

On Saturday, the Eagles shut out Norwell 5-0 in the opening round, then earned a 3-0 victory over Lake Central in the semifinals.  Delta also had won the first sets at No. 1 singles and No. 2 doubles but those matches were not completed before the rains hit.

Delta now has won nine of its last 10 matches.  The Eagles will travel to Mt. Vernon on Monday for a match with Hoosier Heritage Conference championship implications.  Mt. Vernon leads the HHC at 6-0, while New Pal is 6-1 and Delta is 5-1.  A Delta victory over Mt. Vernon would create a three-way tie for the championship and would result in the Eagles reclaiming the HHC traveling wooden racket trophy.

Individually on Saturday, senior Owen Cupp went 2-0 at No. 2 singles and lost only one game on the day.  Juniors Ben Miller and Brady Williams went 2-0 at No. 1 doubles and lost just four games. Freshman Luke Atkinson was 2-0 at No. 3 singles and gave up eight games.

Senior Kody Vest won 6-0, 6-1 over Norwell and then took the first set 6-3 over a strong Lake Central freshman.  Kody trailed 0-3 in the second set when rain stopped play.

Junior Aaron Elliott and freshman Tyce Dishman won 6-0, 6-0 in the morning match at No. 2 doubles, then led Lake Central 6-0, 4-3 when rain ended the match.

In other tourney results:

Round One

Delta 5  Norwell 0
Lake Central 4 Burris 1
Yorktown 3  Bellmont 2
Western 5 Richmond 0

Round Two

Delta 3  Lake Central 0
Western 4  Yorktown 1

Norwell 4  Burris 1
Bellmont 4  Richmond 1

Complete Delta Results

DELTA 5, NORWELL 0

Varsity Singles

1. Kody Vest won 6-0, 6-1
2. Owen Cupp won 6-1, 6-0
3. Luke Atkinson won 6-4, 6-0

Varsity Doubles

1. Ben Miller/Brady Williams won 6-0, 6-2
2. Tyce Dshman/Aaron Elliott won 6-0, 6-0

JV Singles

1. James Root won 6-0

DELTA 3, LAKE CENTRAL 2

Varsity Singles

1. Kody Vest led 6-3, 0-3 (rain)
2. Owen Cupp won 6-0, 6-0
3. Luke Atkinson won 6-2, 6-2

Varsity Doubles

1. Ben Miller/Brady Williams won 6-1, 6-1
2. Tyce Dshman/Aaron Elliott led 6-0, 4-3 (rain)

JV Singles

1. James Root lost 6-7 (3)