STEVE T. GORCHES - Post-Tribune deputy sports editor
10/21/2008
The Mustangs didn't win in their second trip to the boys tennis IHSAA state finals in three years, losing to Center Grove 4-1 in Saturday's semifinal at North Central High School in Indianapolis and 3-2 to Columbus North in the consolation.
But the players, coaches and fans have a little inspiration to bring back from North Central High in Indianapolis.
His name is Aaditya Shah.
The No. 2 singles player for Munster (22-2) gave it his all in the Columbus North match against Robert Nieters, losing the first game 6-3 but grinding out a 7-6 (7-4) victory in the second.
At the end of that tiebreaker that capped a grueling back-and-forth set, Shah collapsed due to cramping and dehydration. He got a medical timeout, but decided to keep playing instead of retiring from the match.
"He didn't want to come out," Munster coach Steve Lopez said. "He limped around on a leg and a prayer. That's what we do in the region -- we don't quit."
Maybe it was symbolic of Munster's run to the state finals, its 11th in program history -- never quitting and going as far as they could. But Lopez and the players look at Saturday's losses as a missed opportunity at bringing home an elusive state title.
"It was a great season, but a bad day," Lopez said. "Our strength all year was No. 1 singles and our doubles. Billy (Heuer) did what he needed to do (at No. 1 singles). We just didn't get it done at the other spots.
"Not to take anything away from Center Grove … when you walk off a court and you get beat by a superior team, that's one thing. But this was one of those, 'would've, could've, should've' times."
Heuer did account for the Mustangs' only point against Center Grove, defeating Austin Sansone 6-4, 6-2. Against Columbus North, Heuer won again over Austin Smith by identical scores while Zakk Tritsch notched Munster's other point, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, against Caleb Fuller.
Lopez didn't even try to hide his disappointment.
"It's our 11th time getting to state finals … the results just don't seem to pan out," he said. "We set some high goals at the beginning of the season. At some point it's just not good enough to be there."
Center Grove went on to defeat Zionsville 3-2 in the championship match to win its second boys tennis state title.
One Northwest Indiana players moved on in the singles regional at Park Tudor. Robin Marchione of Hanover Central advanced to state after defeating Daniel Crawford of Wheeler 6-0, 6-0 in the first round and Deon Shafer of Warsaw 7-6 (7-1), 6-1, in the second round to remain undefeated.
Merrillville's doubles team of Kenneth Albee and Stephen Carniello won their first-round match, but were eliminated in the second round of the doubles regional at Carmel.
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