Behrend proves his brothers wrong
Senior helps Valparaiso claim first sectional title since 2013, end Chesterton’s 5-year run
Valparaiso senior Will Behrend was ecstatic.
Behrend, part of the Vikings’ No. 1 doubles tandem, had proved to older brothers Max and Sam that they couldn’t have been more wrong.
“They told me we couldn’t and wouldn’t do it, and I wouldn’t be able to (win) either,” Behrend said, laughing, after Valparaiso ended Chesterton’s five-year reign as the Portage Sectional champion with a 3-2 victory Wednesday night.
“I told them if we do it, I’d be the first and last Behrend to do it, and they just laughed. It only made me more determined. It was really a challenge. It makes it even better because we beat Chesterton.”
Behrend and doubles partner Matt Levenda defeated Chesterton’s Nick Hanson and Corydon Gaff 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
Behrend said he and his teammates wanted to win the sectional for seniors Spencer Ross and Calvin VanBenthuysen.
“It was their last chance, and they hadn’t won (a sectional), and we wanted to make them go out on top,” Behrend said. “Now we want to win the (LaPorte) regional.”
Valparaiso will play host LaPorte in the regional semifinals Tuesday.
Ross helped Valparaiso’s cause with a dominating 6-1, 6-1 No. 2 singles win over Chesterton’s
Fabio Haiduc, who played with the stomach flu.
“I didn’t play against them the first time (a 4-1 Chesterton win) because I had strained my right Achilles tendon in a match against Munster,” Ross said. “So I had to retire and missed two weeks.
“This was my inspiration because I’d been waiting for this moment for the past four years. I was just pumped and ready to go for it, from start to finish. Hands down, this is the highlight and biggest moment of my career.”
Vikings coach Tim Shideler was happy his team was able to win its first sectional title since 2013.
“I used to say it’s always nice to win a sectional, but since we hadn’t won one for five years, this one is really sweet,” Shideler said.
“I feel honored to be in the Duneland Conference because it’s such a tough conference.”
Chesterton’s Luke Liapes defeated Valparaiso’s Calvin McMurtrey 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 at No. 1 singles.
Chesterton coach Tom Bour was disappointed his team couldn’t win a sixth straight sectional title but was proud of his players.
“I told the boys tonight’s loss doesn’t define all that they’ve done for me and the program,” he said. “We didn’t lose to some average team; we lost to Valparaiso. They have a great program, great coaches and great players. We caught them on a night where they matched our energy and our talent, so they deserve so much credit for what they accomplished.”
Making a difference: Crown Point coach Chris Korzeniewski added Don Baron to coach the doubles teams this year, and it strengthened the Bulldogs, who topped Lake Central 5-0 in their sectional championship match Thursday.
“Both teams are very athletic,” Baron said about Zach Jones and Cal Curiel at No. 1 doubles and Seth Gozo and Zack Hill at No. 2.
“You have to take advantage of their length and athleticism,” Baron said. “They have good hands, stay aggressive and apply relentless pressure. I tell them to pick off as many balls at the net as they can and be aggressive on serve returns.”
Crown Point will play Merrillville in the Munster Regional semifinals Tuesday.
The beat goes on: Munster coach Patrick Spohr’s Mustangs won their 39th straight sectional title with a 5-0 win over Highland on Thursday and will play Morton in Tuesday’s Munster Regional semifinals.
“I would say the 39th consecutive sectional title means just as much as all the ones before this for me,” Spohr said. “You don’t want to be the person that’s responsible for ending the streak. However, you want to maintain the legacy. All the hard work teams have put in the previous 38 seasons helps motivate these kids to reach their potential.”