NorthWood - Match Report

Varsity Recap

These matches are really heartbreaking for me. This season, we have now lost 5 matches. 4 of those 5 losses have been by 3-2 score lines. And while that makes for exciting matches, memorable points, and lots of tension... I'd also like to win one :-)

So, how'd we get to 3-2 in this one. Well, Braden again came out playing extremely well. The number of times that he had game points to get on the scoreboard was remarkable, considering that he didn't win a game in the match. But in this match Braden served well, defended well, rallied well, moved his opponent, stayed in points... but he couldn't get the breakthrough.

It was a little funny actually, because even though he lost without winning a game, Braden was actually the third match to finish. The other two singles matches finished before him. Josh played one of the best matches of the season. Everything that he did seemed to have the right touch. Josh is improving quickly as the season goes along and that's really fun to see. In this match, he did not lose a game. And he had some points where he just dug in and refused to lose. I love that Josh is embracing his style of tennis, and finding joy in what it provides.

Theo didn't have the best match today. From the first game where he double faulted twice, I could sense that something was off with Theo's game. His opponent took advantage of that, and was also really talented. It seemed that no matter what type of shot Theo hit in this match, his opponent was able to put the ball in the exact spot that he wanted. It left Theo scrambling quite a bit in the match, and not being the one in control of the points. 

Which left it all to the doubles. And what matches these guys played! In both doubles positions, we dropped the first set with less than stellar play. At #2D, we just started slowly, trying to do too much, and too early in the point. At #1D, we actually played a pretty good first set, but we definitely made mistakes at big points. Too many double faults and too many times where we were really choosing difficult shots to try to make. We needed to simplify.

Both positions responded to that challenge well. Aaron and Austin got into the rhythm that they've found several times this season, where they are aggressive with their feet but simple with their placement. They really controlled their second set and it went quickly, soon into a third and deciding set. While they were starting their third set, #1D got a 5-3 lead in their second set. Again, we were focused on doing simple things, like getting the ball lower instead of overpowering our opponents. This led to simple putaways. After a missed chance to serve out the second set, Tyson and Joseph broke serve and went into a deciding set as well.

Aaron and Austin's third set got nervy, but I was especially proud of them because they kept up their feet. They shuffled forward to balls, thus giving themselves the best chances to hit simple shots. In the end, their relentless pressure of good shots caused their opponents to break down a bit. The few more errors combined with a few more simple finishing volleys. And #2D won, making the team score 2-2.

So, it all came down to #1D and their third set. It did not start out well for the Bruins. From the first game where we got broke, we found ourselves in an 0-4 hole to start the set. Again, as it so often is, it was too complicated and too many double faults. Rather than getting our feet into the right spots to make the simple rally shots and get in position, we were leaning and blasting and hoping that one amazing shot would do the trick. It didn't. But we responded so well. Down 0-4, Tyson and Joseph adjusted again, deciding to play "1-2" tennis. Instead of relying on one blazing shot, they planned to hit this shot good, and then the next one good, and then the next one good - and in that way keep piling on the pressure. It worked. We won 3 straight to get to 3-4, and then after dropping the next, we won 3 more to lead 6-5. 

But as so often happens, having the lead suddenly worked on our nerves. Our feet went into quicksand and we found ourselves again trying to make difficult, Superman shots from difficult positions. That's just what happens when we get nervous (see the U.S. Open's mens final for an example :-) We couldn't get the break of serve to take the third set, and so into a tiebreaker it went. 

Tiebreaks are typically won by the team that can stay smart and aggressive. And that's exactly what NorthWood did. They got up early, and we hit some tentative double faults. Then we hit an overly aggressive double fault. Then they hit a big passing shot. And in the end, our last shot fell in the net and it was a bummer. 

The most difficult thing in tennis is to stay in a consistent, smart, aggressive mindset - to stay attentive to each point with your feet and with your choices. In these matches, we'll need to develop the habit of "aggressive shots to simple spots." Then we'll grab some epic victories :-)

JV Recap

The JV played excellent tennis today. Every time that I had a free second, I tried to see the scores and the strokes of the guys. Unfortunately, because the varsity match went right down to the wire, I didn't get to see as much as I wanted to. 

Highlights though were Cameron's continued run of great form. I can't wait to see him continue improving. Also, Ian and Adam got two wins on the night, which was awesome for them! Jacob Leininger joined in the two win category as well, finding his groundstroke rhythm in his singles match and then getting a doubles victory as well. 

The spirit of the JV was just very confident in this match. Even those who didn't win felt like they had played really well. Justin got to play his first singles match, and moved well and hit well, almost coming out with a win. Matthew played a long match, and couldn't quite finish it with a win, but continues to grow in consistency. Josiah and Kameron continue to have great fun together, energetic and full of hustle. And Obed continues to get our most cheers, as he improves and wins more and more games each time that he plays. I love the positive attitude, and the commitment to getting better that our JV guys are showing this year. 

Moments of Joy

Okay, time to fess up. I was so nervous, that I didn't write these beautiful points down. Maybe this time, you should comment on what the most joyful moment was in your match. Put them in the comments below!

Moments Together

I love the long match where we all end up watching one final match together. But what I loved most were the compliments that I heard whispered through the crowd as we watched Joseph and Tyson. Guys were impressed at how they handled pressure points, how they served, and how they stayed positive. Guys were noticing the good positioning and the good belief that they had. And even as it didn't turn out the way we wanted, guys were full of positive compliments for the #1D who had worked so hard. While we want to win, I love it when we show love more. Thanks guys!

Prayer

Lord, thanks for a beautiful night and wonderful people to share it with. In the end, the varsity match left me disappointed. Refill us with joy. Let us move with confidence in nervous situations, let us rejoice, because You are near. We may not always win, but we are noticed and important. Thanks for being with us whatever we feel. Thanks for affirming us no matter what we do. Thanks for encouraging us. We thank You, in Jesus name!

Scores

Varsity: 2-3

#1S - Braden Bohn - 0-6, 0-6 - Ben Vincent (12)

#2S - Theo Siemens-Rhodes - 1-6, 1-6 - Brady Chupp (11)

#3S - Josh Cartwright - 6-0, 6-0 - Isaac Roberts (11)

#1D - Joseph Mounsithiraj/Tyson Miller - 5-7, 6-4, 6-7 (3) - Treyton Martin (12)/Gage Gongwer (11)

#2D - Aaron Shenk/Austin Shenk - 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 - Brad Demitruk (12)/Chaz Yoder (11)

Junior Varsity: 7-5

#1SJV - Cameron Heinisch - 8-3 - Karson Kirby (11)

#2SJV - Matthew Dyck - 7-9 - Wes Steiner (11)

#3SJV - Jacob Leininger - 8-5 - Logan Perry (10)

#4SJV - Justin Hochstedler - 6-8 - Joe Hahn (10)

#5SJV - Obed Lopez - 3-8 - Alex Yoder (10)
#6SJV - Josiah Schlabach - 8-4 - Wyatt Petrie (11)

#1DJV - Breece Erickson/Ethan Pairitz - 6-8 - Skip McCoy (12)/Charles Anderson (11)

#2DJV - Kameron Branum/Josiah Schlabach - 2-8 - Jaxon Miller (11)/Nic Anderson (9)

#3DJV - Jacob Shank/Tristan Mast - 8-4 - Skee Mishler (10)/Will Geyer (10)

#4DJV - Ian McHugh/Adam Siemens-Rhodes - 8-3 - Kane Bellman (10)/Trent Beer (9)

#5DJV - Ian McHugh/Adam Siemens-Rhodes - 8-4 - Andre Hostetler (10)/Shawn Miller (9)

#6DJV - Kameron Branum/Jacob Leininger - 8-3 - Wyatt Hammond (9)/Sam Holden (9)