After more than three hours of tennis, the Eagles emerged with a 3-2 victory over Greenfield-Central in a key Hoosier Heritage Conference home match on Tuesday evening.

Greenfield entered the match with a 43-10 record over the past three seasons, including back-to-back 3-2 victories over Delta in 2022 and 2023.

Juniors John Atkinson and Aaron Elliott, playing for the first time together, battled their way to a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3 victory at No. 2 doubles to clinch the team match.  The entire third set was played under the lights with the team score knotted at 2-2.

Atkinson has endured a litany of injuries over the past three years, including two separate leg surgeries that kept him out of action for many months each time.  He also has struggled with back issues this season.  As a result, he was playing a varsity match for the first time in his career.

In the third set, Elliott made nine out of 10 first serves, resulting in two holds of serve.   Atkinson also made some clutch shots, including a terrific low volley for a winner to extend the Eagles’ lead to 5-3 in the final set.

At No. 1 doubles, juniors Ben Miller and Brady Williams hung tough for a 7-5, 7-5 victory.  It was Miller’s first varsity win of the season and second of his career. Williams now has three career varsity wins.  They consistently put pressure on their opponents at the net.

The third point for Delta came much earlier in the evening when freshman Luke Atkinson gained a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 3 singles with his steady strokes.  It was Luke’s third varsity victory.

Greenfield-Central picked up the wins at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, both in straight sets.  Owen Cupp took his opponent to a tiebreak in the opening set.

In the JV match, Delta dominated at every position for a 9-0 victory.

The Eagles are now 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the HHC.  Conference action will resume tonight (Wednesday) when the Eagles play a makeup match against Shelbyville at 4:45 p.m. at a neutral site, New Castle High School’s Luddy Tennis Courts.

Complete results

Varsity
DELTA 3, GREENFIELD 2

Varsity Singles

1. Kody Vest (D) lost to Roberts, 3-6, 0-6
2. Owen Cupp (D) lost to Michalek, 6-7 (1), 0-6
3. Luke Atkinson (D) def. Ortwein, 6-1, 6-1

Varsity Doubles

1. Brady Williams/Ben Miller (D) def. Sitzman/Welch, 7-5, 7-5
2. Aaron Elliott/John Atkinson (D) def. Frye/Jarnecke, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3

Junior Varsity
DELTA 9, GREENFIELD 0

JV Singles

1. Colten Cruea won 6-0
2. James Root won 6-1
3. Roman Ashcraft won 6-0
4. Andrew Alexander won 6-0
5. Owen Zacek won 6-0
6. Kiptyn Berry won 6-2

JV Doubles

1. Alex Smith/Graham Sieber won 6-0
2. Daniel Tokar/Rylan Oliver won 6-0
3. Reid Cardemon/Jensen Moody won 6-4