Avoid the noise.
Chesterton had read and heard about how they were favored to win the sectional the last two seasons.  And each of those seasons ended with the Trojans watching Valparaiso celebrate a sectional title.
Not this time.
The No. 28 Trojans jumped out to big leads on every court and kept their foot on the gas pedal at each position as they rolled to a 5-0 win, earning the 2021 Sectional Title.
“Coach Scott and myself stressed the importance of a quick start against a team who was filled with first-time sectional players,” said coach Tom Bour.  “Valpo is too good of a program and has too good of coaching staff to sleep on just because it looks in our favor on paper.  Our high energy along with our experience was just too much for such a young team in the end.”
Chesterton’s singles trio gave up 3 games between them during the singles sweep of the Vikings.  After beating Portage on Tuesday and Valpo the next day, the three singles guys only dropped a total of 5 games.
Fabio Haiduc won at the top-singles-spot 6-0, 6-1 to improve his record to 16-6.  Haiduc’s losses have come from some of the top players in the state and the sophomore has made a great argument for himself to be in that conversation as a top-tier player in the state.    At No. 2 singles, Drake Redman blanked his opponent 6-0, 6-0 and was Chesterton’s first team point on the board.  Drake Redman is now 18-2 overall.    Sophomore  Brock Redman won his 7th straight match at the No. 3 position by a score of 6-2, 6-0.
“We started a tradition years ago in big matches, that after a win the players yell, “lets go Trojans!.”  “When that’s heard throughout the tennis complex, it energizes the guys who are still on the court.  After Brock shook hands and yelled it, the players and fans all cheered knowing that was the 3rd team point.  It was impressive to watch how the doubles guys got fired up after hearing that.”
In doubles action, the No.1 team of David Archbald & Connor Engels fought off a late surge from Valpo but would eventually go on to win 6-0, 6-3.  Archbald & Engels were heard the most as their energy shot through Portage’s courts and into the games of their teammates still battling on other courts.
“I tell the guys all the time that positive energy is tough to maintain and negative energy seems to snowball quickly if you’re not careful.  Some may see our energy as over the top, but we see it as a tool to keep our focus and intensity up,” said coach Bour.
Ian Condes & Connor Potesta are now 4-2 together after winning their No. 2 doubles match 6-0, 6-1.  The Trojans duo became partners after a road trip to Terre Haute South where they were forced to play together in a 4-team triple dual tourney.  They played so well that day, that coach Bour and Garrison had no choice but to try them out again in the very next match.  The rest is history, as they have played a huge role in making Chesterton’s doubles stronger.
The Trojans head into the IHSAA Regional with a 13-3 record and will face one of the region’s best in No.13 South Bend St. Joe.  Taking down the Indians will be tough as they feature one of the best 1-2 punches at the top of their lineup in the state.  But one thing is certain, Chesterton will bring the Effort, Energy and Enthusiasm to LaPorte’s Kessling Park on Tues.
The 1980 Olympic gold medal hockey coach, Herb Brooks said it best, “Great Moments are born from great opportunity.”
Chesterton will get that opportunity Tuesday.