Linton-Stockton's Kyle Cooper makes a return during a No. 1 doubles match against Owen Valley at the Northview boys tennis sectional Wednesday night. (B.J. Hargis/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

BRAZIL -- Linton-Stockton boys tennis coach Brad McKinney had no idea that a late season line-up switch would pay dividends in the post season.

Former No. 1 doubles player Chase Rhoten, who is now competing at No. 2 singles, held off Jordan Truax for a 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory at the Northview Sectional, which gave the Miners a 3-2 win and propelled Linton-Stockton into the championship match.

"Not to slight any of the other kids, but Chase is probably the guy that I would want out on the court in a situation like that," McKinney said of the match being tied at 2-all with Rhoten and Truax competing to decide the fate of both team's season. "There was a lot of pressure with the match on the line.

Linton-Stockton boys tennis coach Brad McKinney (second from right) has a few last minute instructions for his Miners before the start of a sectional match against Owen Valley. The Miners won 3-2 to advance to the Saturday's championship match against host Northview. (By B.J. Hargis/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

"Chase really responded like I would have expected an experienced player to do. He is a three-year letterman and he played like it tonight."

Seth Herndon needed three sets to prevail at No 2 singles. He defeated Owen Valley's Bryan Redenbarger 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.

"Seth came out and played very well in the first set," said McKinney. "But he lost all of his momentum and did not play as well in the second.

"But he bounced back and took control early in the third set. It turned out to be an important point for us."

Redenbarger started out the season playing No. 1 doubles for the Patriots (4-12), but he changed spots in the line-up with Jacob Crouch.

Kris Shipman was first off the court for the Miners (6-10). He lost only two games as he defeated Reymond Amos 6-2, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.

"Kris was really in control all night long," said McKinney. "He just played a very solid match."

The Miners were close in both doubles matches, but came up short.

Randy Lientz and Crouch of Owen Valley defeated the Linton-Stockton duo of Kyle Cooper and Luke Knight 7-5, 7-6 (6) at No. 1 doubles.

Miner freshmen Ben Brown and Taylor Sloan fell 6-4, 6-4 to Mike McHaley and Quinn Wilson 6-4, 6-4.

"The freshmen battled throughout their match at two doubles," said McKinney. "It was a good experience for both of them.

"Kyle and Luke were right there in both sets. They were ahead until the very end in the second set. As the match wore on, both teams started to get a little tired and weren't moving their feet quite as well as they had earlier. I was hoping they could have pulled out the tiebreaker and forced a third set."

Defending champion Northview defeated Greencastle 5-0 in the first semifinal.

The Miners will face Northview in a rematch of last year's championship match.

"Northview is a very good team," said McKinney, whose Miners lost to the Knights 5-0 in the title match a year ago and 5-0 during the regular-season meeting this season. "This was a big win for us because it puts us in the championship match.

"But they are the favorite and I expect all of the pressure to be on them. We are a young team. No matter what happens, this will be great learning experience for the kids."

The title contest is set for 10 a.m. Saturday.

Northview Sectional

Linton-Stockton 3, Owen Valley 2

Singles

1. Chase Rhoten (L) d. Jordan Truax, 7-6 (5), 6-4

2. Seth Herndon (L) d. Bryan Redenbarger, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2

3. Kris Shipman (L) d. Reymond Amos, 6-2, 6-0

Doubles

1. Randy Lientz/Jacob Crouch (O), d. Kyle Cooper/Luke Knight, 7-5, 7-6 (6).

2. Mike McHaley/Quinn Wilson (O) d. Ben Brown/Taylor Sloan, 6-4, 6-4.