Match Memories

This season we are without 5 varsity players from last year. All of our seniors are gone and only 3 of our players will have significant varsity experience. As a tennis family, we've gone through this transition twice since I've been coach.

After the very successful 2005 season, where we won a then career high 14 matches, we lost 5 seniors. Included in those losses were some of our all-time great players and some of our most dedicated workers. The players that we returned had played #3 singles (Wes Klassen), #1 doubles (Jordan Kauffman), and #2 doubles (Jordan Miller). The 2006 team then incorporated 4 sophomores (Luke Hostetter, Jared Schwartzentruber, Johnny Kauffman, and Jeremy Thomas).

That makes makes the season very comparable to this year. We will return players from #3 singles (Nate), #2 doubles (Blake and Evan). We have many sophomores, but also a couple juniors, vying for those spots.

So, what happened to the 2006 team. Well, it was a very interesting season. We had an easier schedule than we will play this coming season, but still, we managed to reach 12 wins in 2006. We truly grew during that season, which I would say built the foundation for our 2008 Sectional title.

We played a lot of close matches in 2006. And we learned a lot from each match. Here's some of what we learned...

#1 - vs. Northridge - "Don't be afraid."
We opened the season, as always, against the Raiders and because our courts were being resurfaced, we took them on at Goshen College. We were shaking and we got blitzed. I mean the closest match was probably 3-6, 2-6. But what really bugged me is that we played the match as if we couldn't win. Always give the best, always expect your best.

#2 - vs. New Prairie - "Stay aggressive."
New Prairie was a significant drive away from Bethany. We headed over there under threat of thunderstorm. And yet, we didn't come out slow. In 4 of the 5 matches, we came out focused and took the first set. Quickly, Luke Hostetter and #2 doubles (Jeremy Thomas/Jordan Miller) took their 2nd sets. We were up 2-0, just waiting for one more point. It never happened. In our other matches, we became very tentative and tight. Our feet stopped moving, which is where aggression comes from. We lost all of the other matches in third sets, and learned that you have to stay moving, positive, and confident to close things out.

#3 - vs. NorthWood - "Play to your strengths."
Against NorthWood, we were up against a team that would eventually win a Sectional title. We were also up against one of the best players in our Sectional over the past 8 years, Preston Swain. But Wes Klassen got behind his best stroke, his two-handed forehand, and pounded away at Swain. All day, Wes got in position to use his weapon and then was all over it, slamming it crosscourt into Swain's backhand. If you have a weapon, you go and get it. That's what Wes did.

So, those three things formed a young team. I think they could form this young team too.
#1 - Don't be afraid.
#2 - Stay aggressive.
#3 - Play to your strengths.