No. 1 Mustangs boys tennis team withstands No. 2 Vikings

VALPARAISO | While Times No. 1 Munster and No. 2 Valparaiso battled each other, Mother Nature battled both of them simultaneously.

Leg cramps and heat exhaustion made its way across the steaming courts Wednesday afternoon, affecting the course of two matches.

The Mustangs held on for a very tough 4-1 win that was much closer than the score indicated.

Michael Kitchell gave the 'Stangs a 1-0 lead when he won at No. 3 singles, 6-0, 6-0.

"I came out very strong today and played a complete game," Kitchell said. "My forehand was working very well, and I was able to place my shots cross court."

Munster went up 2-0 when it took a point at No. 2 doubles, and it looked like a sweep was in the making.

That's when things got interesting.

At No. 2 singles, Valpo's Marty Pochop rallied to defeat Ryan Heuer 7-6, 7-5. That cut the lead to 2-1.

"That first set was a real gut-check," Pochop said, referring to the 16-14 tiebreaker he won.

"I was down a couple of times and had to rally back. I got a second wind after that one, which I really needed, because my legs are still cramping up."

But the cramps that really brought Valpo down happened to No. 1 singles player Ben Kalisch.

Munster's Jack Heiniger took the first set 6-4. Kalisch was up 4-1 in the second when he suffered severe cramps in both legs and went down. The Valpo trainer worked on Kalisch for 15 to 20 minutes in an effort to provide relief.

Kalisch tried valiantly to continue play. He was up 5-2 when Heiniger was able to take advantage and reel off four straight points to go up 6-5.

On the next volley, Kalisch went down again and could not continue. He had to retire, which gave Munster the winning point.

It turned out to be a crucial moment in the match. At No. 1 doubles, the teams had split the first two sets and were tied 4-4 in the third when Kalisch had to retire.

Game, set, match.

"What can I really say about it," Valpo coach Tim Shiedler said. "We had them where we wanted them. We played really well as a team. The heat just got the best of Ben at a very inopportune time."

Munster coach Steve Lopez was glad he had time to prepare for the Vikings.

"We had a week between matches and needed the time," Lopez said. "Valpo is a great team and a great program. This was a good battle between the two best teams in the region. We showed a lot of character today to be able to grind it out."