All of the stats, all of the previews, all of the speculation, all of the hope. And now, finally, TENNIS!After an exhausting first day of school, intense tug-o-war game, and hot bus ride in the 94 degree humidity, we made it to Angola for our first interscholastic competition of the 2010 school year. Just like all the scrimmages in past years, I wouldn't say we played our best but we were far from our worst, and a whole lot was learned.
We played three different segments, both varsity and JV. We switched the lineup around a lot to try people at different positions and see if we can get some clarity moving into the season on what our lineup will be for sure. Instead of trying to report on everything, let me hit5 highlights.
1. In the varsity segments, we led 10 of the matches, Angola led 5 of the matches.
If you are looking for a score, that's about as close as you're going to get. I'm pretty proud of that, because I think it shows the quality of our team. We were able to get ourselves out to leads quickly and sustain them in the time limit. Of course, these weren't full matches, but there is a feeling that we would have been able to win a good number of them if they were.
2. In the JV segments, we led 7, trailed in 6, tied in 2.
This was a really encouraging part for me. I was unsure on how strong the JV would be this year, but they put on a really good effort tonight. Angola was quite a young team, but I was impressed at how our newcomers and returners came together tonight. I could really see the summer workouts paying off for many of the JV tonight.
3. Ben Mast went 3-0 at #1 singles.
It's hard to judge the quality of opponents, as Bienz played #3 singles on a very strong Angola team last year, and Jake Stump played #2 doubles on that same team. Ben looked impressive and I think there might be something really good going on here.
4. Parth Patel dominated JV.
Okay, dominated is a little strong. But for a freshman, Parth did really well. He won a match at #1 singles, #2 singles, and #1 doubles on the JV. It was very impressive. Other individuals did quite well also, but Parth was the only JV'er to win all 3.
5. #2 doubles should be "okay."
Between the 3 segments tonight, our #2 doubles team racked up a score of 18-3. Russell Klassen, Blake Shetler, and Evan Grimes all looked active and engaged in the match. Russell even nutmegged two guys, hitting it between their legs on volleys (although they did lose one of those points). With hard work, this can be a "go-to" position this year for us.
So, there is five things. Much more could be said. I'm glad that we got to do this, Angola is such good competition and gracious competition. When we went to Pizza King afterward (Hawaiian pizza!) the waitress commented that tennis teams are her favorite, because she loves to see us in there and she really likes Angola's team as well. I can see that. The Hornets seem to have a bunch of good guys, playing tennis as well as their character. We certainly wish them good luck throughout the year.
So far now, this is a first step taken on a journey to get better. Good things tonight. Hopeful things tonight. But there is more to come...
Varsity Scores
SESSION 1
#1S - Ben Mast - 7-1 - Brian Bienz (12)
#2S - Seth Krabill - 3-3 - Jake Stump (10)
#3S - Nate Brendle - 2-2 - Dylan Warren (12)
#1D - Kyle Miller/Matt Ebersole - 8-0 - Sawyer Lehman (12)/Justin Lamont (11)
#2D - Russell Klassen/Blake Shetler - 8-1 - Cameron Hall (9)/Cole Hayes (9)
SESSION 2
#1S - Ben Mast - 5-4 - Jake Stump (10)
#2S - Seth Krabill - 5-2 - Justin Lamont (11)
#3S - Blake Shetler - 8-0 - Sawyer Lehman (12)
#1D - Kyle Miller/Nate Brendle - 1-9 - Brian Bienz (12)/Dylan Warren (12)
#2D - Russell Klassen/Evan Grimes - 7-2 - Mason Hottell (12)/Matt Brown (10)
SESSION 3
#1S - Ben Mast - (7-4), (7-3), (7-4) - Brian Bienz (12)
#2S - Seth Krabill - (6-8), (7-9) - Jake Stump (10)
#3S - Matt Ebersole - (4-7), (3-7), (5-7) - Dylan Warren (12)
#1D - Kyle Miller/Nate Brendle - (7-4), (4-7), (7-3) - Sawyer Lehman (12)/Justin Lamont (11)
#2D - Russell Klassen/Blake Shetler - (7-0), (7-4), (7-3) - Mason Hottell (12)/Matt Brown (10)
Junior Varsity Scores
SESSION 1
#1S - Ryan Minter - 4-2 - Cody Nichols (9)
#2S - Parth Patel - 5-1 - Drew Rowe (12)
#3S - Justin Zehr - 1-5 - Logan Dunlop (9)
#1D - Evan Grimes/Abe Thorne - 4-5 - Mason Hottell (12)/Matt Brown (10)
#2D - Joel Gerig/Josh Helmuth - 1-4 - Eric Hoyer (9)/Connor Clester (9)
SESSION 2
#1S - Matt Ebersole - 11-0 - Drew Rowe (12)
#2S - Ryan Minter - 4-4 - Connor Clester (9)
#3S - Joel Gerig - 3-2 - John Ingles (9)
#1D - Abe Thorne/Parth Patel - 5-3 - Cameron Hall (9)/Cole Hayes (9)
#2D - Justin Zehr/Josh Helmuth - 2-6 - Markus Arnold (9)/Eric Ruff (9)
SESSION 3
#1S - Parth Patel - (7-2), (7-4), (7-3) - Cody Nickols (9)
#2S - Abe Thorne - (7-2), (7-3), (4-7), (5-7) - Logan Dunlop (9)
#3S - Josh Helmuth - (5-7), (7-9), (6-8) - Beard (?)
#1D - Evan Grimes/Ryan Minter - (5-7), (6-8) - Markus Arnold (9)/Mike Beard (?)
#2D - Justin Zehr/Joel Gerig - (7-2), (7-2) - John Ingles (9)/Eric Ruff (9)
(unofficial) FATALITY
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