Andrew Gauger prepares to return a shot Tuesday for Warsaw. The Tigers beat host Wawasee 5-0.

SYRACUSE – Warsaw boys tennis coach Rick Orban was after more than just a win at Wawasee Tuesday evening.

He wanted to see his team play to its abilities after the Tigers struggled on Saturday in their own invitational.

Orban got his wish.

Warsaw started strong and never eased up in blanking the host Warriors 5-0 in Northern Lakes Conference play.

“I was hoping tonight that our guys would play to their abilities for two sets and play to win and that’s what they came out and did,” said Orban.  “I’m extremely pleased with how we played tonight.”

“On Saturday, we were inconsistent and did not play smart tennis. We played not to lose. Tonight they played to win and it showed.”

The Tigers, who finished in seventh place in their own eight-team tourney Saturday, dropped a total of just 14 games versus Wawasee.

Warsaw improves to 6-5 overall and moves to 3-2 in NLC play. Wawasee falls to 4-8 overall and 0-5 in league action.

The Warsaw doubles teams led the way. Juniors Hudson Snyder and Hayden Steger were the first off the court as the tandem topped senior Chase Jones and junior Evan Krueger 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2.

“Our No. 2 doubles played extremely well tonight,” Orban said. “They had a good day on Saturday as did our No. 3 singles player (Andrew Gauger).”

The No. 1 Tiger doubles team of senior Chris Herendeen and junior David Homme made it 2-0 with a dominating 6-1, 6-0 win over junior Tim Conley and sophomore Dylan Staley.

“Chris and David were aggressive tonight and moved well,” remarked Orban.

Nathan Perek readies to serve for Wawasee.

Warsaw clinched the win when sophomore Colton Lind finished off a 6-3, 6-0 win over senior Cal Heinisch at No. 2 singles.

The Tigers completed the shutout with wins by juniors Andrew Gauger and Justin Stout. Gauger, who has played well all season long for the up-and-down Tigers, beat junior Nathan Perek 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 singles. Stout then finished the evening with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 win over junior Nate Haines at No. 1 singles.

“Wawasee’s numbers are up and they are getting better,” said Orban. “This is big for us to get to 3-2 in the NLC with two matches left.”

Wawasee coach Vince Rhodes said it was a case of the same old same old for his team.

“It’s a mental thing when we play NLC teams,” said Rhodes. “We came out and we play scared. Our kids start losing and they are done.

“Our guys can play. They just have to get it through their heads. We’ve talked about the whole season that you have to break down your opponent in a match and then keep doing what works. In NLC matches, we just do not do that for some reason.”

Warsaw won all 11 junior varsity matches contested Tuesday night on the Warrior courts. Winning in singles play for the Tigers were Spencer Britton, Nolan Knight, Reuben Williams, Brandon Chan and Darrin Knisely. Winners in doubles play were the teams of Nick Marsh and Ethan Hoff, Kyler Bartol and Bryce Pequignot, Eric Baumgartner and Jacob Grimm, Keeton Bartol and Diego Niguel, Jarod Barber and Tanner Lockridge and Bailey Burht and Grant Wolfe.

Warsaw will host NorthWood and Wawasee will play at Elkhart Memorial in NLC action on Thursday night.

The NLC Tournament is set for Sept. 23, 24 and 26. Warsaw will host the first night with the second day at Plymouth and the final round at NorthWood.

Justin Stout won at No. 1 singles for the Tigers Tuesday at Wawasee.