MISHAWAKA – Warsaw boys tennis coach Rick Orban sent a message to his team at practice last Friday.

The Tigers came out Monday and responded just like their savvy coach hoped they would.

Warsaw continued its impressive road performances with a 5-0 win at Mishawaka Marian in non-conference play.

The Tigers, who lost 5-0 at home to Penn last Thursday, did not drop a set to the host Knights in improving to 3-1 on the young season. Warsaw is a perfect 3-0 in road matches.

Marian, which had a team roster of just 12 players total, falls to 2-2.

Orban, who thought that his deep and versatile team could have performed better versus Penn, chose to practice Friday without a single tennis ball being hit. The Tigers spent the entire practice running.

On Monday, Orban also chose to alter his lineup for the first time in four matches. Ryan Wettschurack moved up a spot to No. 2 singles, Andrew Gauger went from No. 2 doubles to No. 3 singles and David Homme went from No. 2 singles to No. 2 doubles.

Orban liked what he saw from a lineup that boasted just one senior in Chris Herendeen at No. 1 doubles.

“I did not like the way we played against Penn,” said Orban. “I feel that we truly could have beaten them if we had played the way we are capable of.

“Tonight I wanted to shake it up and see what some different combinations could do. I wanted to see how we hit and how we reacted tonight and I liked what I saw.

“We have six guys who are all more than capable of playing either singles or doubles for us. It’s great these first two weeks to be able to tinker with the lineup and see our strengths and our weaknesses.”

The duo of juniors Gauger and Wettschurack led the way Monday night. Gauger defeated junior Michael Durance 6-0, 6-2 at No. 3 singles to the first Tiger point in impressive fashion. Wettschurack, also a junior, made it 2-0 with a strong showing in a 6-1, 6-1 win over junior Max White at No. 2 singles.

“I really liked what I saw from Andrew and Ryan tonight,” remarked Orban. “Andrew played really well. I was thrilled with him. He played so smart and he just hates to lose. Ryan lost the first game and then just stuck to the plan. He showed some maturity.”

Warsaw clinched the win as senior Chris Herendeen and sophomore Colton Lind topped sophomore Dominik Rafinski and freshman Josh Bussan 6-0, 6-2 at No. 1 doubles.

The Tigers completed the shutout as juniors Homme and Hudson Snyder beat juniors Evan Kovatch and Kenny Klimek 6-4, 6-1 at No. 2 doubles and junior Justin Stout topped sophomore Cam Rafinski 7-5, 6-1 at No. 1 singles.

“I do feel good about being 3-1 and I like where we are at,” Orban said. “But we still can play much better.”

Warsaw won the junior varsity action 6-0. Winners for the Tigers were Reuben Williams and Diego Miguel in singles play and the doubles teams of Hayden Steger and Spencer Britton, Nolan Knight and Bryce Pequignot, Nick Marsh and Ethan Hoff and Keeton Bartol and Kyler Bartol.

Warsaw opens Northern Lakes Conference play Thursday by hosting Elkhart Memorial. Marian will play its Northern Indiana Conference opener Tuesday at South Bend Washington.