On Oct. 2, 1993, the boys' tennis sectional championship match was played at Yorktown High School on a very cool 50-degree day. Sophomore Bob Darby played No. 1 singles for Delta Tennis and won his match 6-3, 6-1 over his Yorktown opponent, David Byrum, to lead the Eagles to the sectional championship, something they had not won the year before.
Thirty-three years later, on Oct. 1, 2026, a few things had changed. The sectional championship match was now at Delta High School. The high temperature topped out at 88 degrees. And the opponent was Muncie Burris this time.
But some things stayed the same.
Another sophomore Darby (Bob's youngest son Jackson) played No. 1 singles and won his match 6-1, 6-2 to lead the Eagles to their 34th consecutive sectional title.
Sixth-ranked Delta raised its season record to 19-2 as the Eagles raised another trophy. It was the 15th shutout victory for the team this fall.
Burris won just eight games -- the 10th time this season that Delta has limited an opponent to fewer than 10 total games.
First off the court was junior Luke Atkinson, who won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.
Senior Tyce Dishman and sophomore Brandon Grubbs followed quickly with a 6-1, 6-0 victory at No. 1 doubles.
Freshman Easton Duckworth and sophomore Kiptyn Schwartz then clinched the sectional title with a 6-0, 6-3 victory at No. 2 doubles.
Next to finish was Jackson Darby, who wrapped up his 6-1, 6-2 win over Burris standout senior Shashwat Sabapathy.
Sophomore Charlie Vannatter then completed the sweep with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over an improved opponent, junior Nolan Clark.
The Eagles move on to the Noblesville Regional.
The first round will be Tuesday at 5:15 p.m.
Delta (19-2) plays Jay County (19-3) in one semifinal.
11th-ranked Westfield (14-4) faces Alexandria (15-4) in the other semifinal.
The championship match will be Wednesday at 5:15 p.m.
