Match Reports # 17 & 18: Wabash Invitational

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Varsity

What a great weekend it was. The rain went away just in time to start our drive down to Wabash, a beautiful drive through rural Indiana that I enjoy every season. There always seems to be a crispness, a newness, to the air and temperature when we arrive at this tournament each season. It's also a tournament that I've traditionally been able to bring some of my sons to. And so that all adds up to really enjoyable days!

Unfortunately, one of the teams scheduled to compete had to pull out of the tournament at the last minute. So instead of three matches we only got to play two. But those two matches were great. We were able to defeat both Wabash and South Adams 5-0 and win the tournament! But more than trophies, each player of our varsity roster was presented with a challenge, a growth moment, somewhere in their matches. And it was good for them to face those and see how they could overcome or learn from them. 

At #1S, Cameron was presented with the challenge of finishing things off. Sometimes in close matches, the hardest thing to do is finish. Finish points, finish games, finish the match with a win. For Cameron, his first match started out a breeze. He won the first set 6-0 and was playing really well. In the second set, his opponent through everything he had into the match. The Wabash player served with much higher accuracy and aggression. Behind this he began to attack.  The Wabash #1 took the early lead in the second set, 2-1, and Cameron had to win a 12 minute epic fourth game to keep the lead from growing to 3-1. When Cameron tied it at 2-2, it seemed as if he would breeze to the match victory. He went up 5-2, but his opponent dug in again. Going for broke, he forced Cameron onto the defensive, and Cam lost two straight games to make it 5-4. Now, Cameron had to finish under pressure. It was a nervy next game, because Cameron couldn't just dink the ball in and hope for errors, he had to stay aggressive. But the close scoreline made aggressive shots even more scary to swing for. Cameron was able to swing through and finish. 

This knowledge served him so well in his next match. Against South Adams, Cameron fought out a tight first set, pulling away at the end to win 6-4. But in the second set, he finished with aggression. Cameron controlled the points and just kept on taking his chances. He had learned from his first match and the challenge it provided.

For Noah, his challenge was different. His matches were not close, so they didn't provide that nervous energy. But he was playing inexperienced players who were emotionally all over the place during the match. One of the under-talked-about aspects of tennis is the emotion side. You deal with your own emotions but also have to deal with those of your opponent. Noah's opponents were alternately frustrated, angry, surrendering, listless, or motivated. This roller coaster was one that Noah needed to navigate with grace. The matches were an opportunity to play hard, stay focused and still have love for these opposing teams who were competing hard. This was a good challenge for Noah to rise to.

Ethan's challenges to navigate were the disruptive strokes of his first opponent and some difficult line calls. In tennis, there are always times that you think you've struck a ball in and your opponent calls it out. Sometimes it is a mistake your opponent has made, sometimes you just didn't see the ball clearly and it was really out, and you are the one who is mistaken. Either way, you can't change the call and you just have to play the next point. You have to find a way to refocus, be positive and give your opponent the benefit of the doubt. Ethan also had to find a way to stay in his rhythm despite his opponents playing with a very different pace and arc to their shots. This is a good challenge that Ethan made progress on today, along with playing some great tennis.

#1D was asked the question of how to regain rhythm when it has fallen away. In their second match against a talented South Adams team, Austin and Matthew took a large lead in the first set. They were playing and serving and volleying brilliantly. But suddenly, that kind of left them. They were tentative, or out of position, or their aggressive shots would fly long... just a little off. And suddenly the Starfires began to creep back into the match. Going from a lead of 5-1 to 5-4, #1D was able to grab the set, but then the out of rhythm play began again. Down 3-1, they rediscovered some confidence. And the whole match changed. They didn't lose another game as they clicked back into gear. Now that they've seen this transformation take place, now that they've refound their rhythm mid-match, they know they can do it again.

#2D had a similar thing take place. Breece and Jacob were high energy all day, provided cheers and vocal encouragement for each other and for the team. This is great, because high energy is when they play their best! But at the beginning of their fourth set of the day, their movement and energy dipped. Their opponents found some energy and put together a great couple of games to make the set really close. After winning sets easily most of the day, Breece and Jacob found themself in a tight set, up 4-3. We didn't want to go to a tiebreak, so it was imperative that we find some energy again. And in a great service game from Jacob, Breece moved all over the net and met the challenge.

We weren't perfect in meeting the obstacles through the day. We never are. But I was so glad to see us working through them. I was so glad that Judah got to be part of the day, watching these guys grow, encourage, and then celebrate together. They challenges made the trophy even more sweet. Proud of this team and what we've accomplished through the year! And this day was so much fun!

Moments of Joy
These are going to be moments that I saw in the match that were fun, beautiful and memorable! Again, just from what I happened to see :-)

Noah's topspin finishers

In Noah's first match, Noah was his consistent self and that was too much for his opponent. The same was true in his second match. But we've continued to work through the year on adding weapons to the consistency - weapons that can be unveiled in big points or big moments for big effects. In both of his matches, Noah was able to bring out these weapons on match point, finishing the matches with one simple shot.

Austin's out wide ace to begin his match

From finishing matches to beginning them, Austin started his first service game of the final with a huge ace, swung way outside to his opponent's forehand. This statement of good service had an impact on the whole match, as his opponent knew he had to get out wide and cover it. This allowed Austin to serve into the backhand and into the body the whole match. Plus, aces are always fun!

Jacob's scrambled net cord winner

And sometimes, beautiful moments and just pure luck. In #2D, Breece hit a volley out wide that forced his opponent to make an adjustment on the run. His opponent switched hands, normally right-handed, his opponent flicked the ball with his left hand for a lob right over Breece and into the backhand corner. Jacob was moving quickly, but couldn't get a clean hit on the ball. With a flick of the wrist, the ball looked like it would barely get over the net, and be slammed down if it did. Instead, it clipped the top of the net and bounced sideways, squirming away from the opponent who had been poised to cover it. It was completely lucky, but still a point that was produced by hustle. Hustle sometimes gets rewarded in these weird ways.

Cameron's passing shots

All day, Cameron's opponents seemed to decide that attacking the net was the way to beat him. But Cameron's passing shots were so nice all day. He was able to find angles, lobs, and spots that just kept his opponents having to come up with difficult volleys. These shots also gave us winners to cheer for, which...

Moments of Encouragement
This segment is where I'll highlight ways that we built each other up during the match or the lead up to it.

The team cheering for Cameron

At the end of the day, there was only one match left on the courts. It was late, we had secured the victory and many wanted to go home. But instead of losing attention, the team gathered under the pavilion at the end of the courts and cheered Cameron on to his final victory. It was a great win for Cameron, important for him to pull one out that he knew that he could. And the team continued to give him energy or his good shots. It grew and grew as the match continued. I love watching the encouragement grow.

Moment of Intention

This is a space where I will offer a short prayer for the team.

Lord God, as we come to the end of the regular season, I am so glad for this team to have another day of victory. It has been amazing to watch this team grow. It has been amazing to see the way they have continued to believe in the building up of one another. It is amazing all You have done. Thank You that we can play from a place of security within Your love. May we give that blessing to others as well. Amen.

Scores

Bethany Christian 5, Wabash 0

#1S - Cameron Heinisch - 6-0, 6-4 - Ewing (11)

#2S - Noah Schrock - 6-0, 6-0 - Baker (9)

#3S - Ethan Pairitz - 6-2, 6-1 - Sellers (9)

#1D - Austin Shenk/Matthew Dyck - 6-1, 6-2 - Dinkins (10)/Spalding (9)

#2D - Jacob Leininger/Breece Erickson - 6-1, 6-2 - Harner (11)/Coffman (9)

Bethany Christian 5, South Adams 0

#1S - Cameron Heinisch - 6-4, 6-1 - Connor Hyman 

#2S - Noah Schrock - 6-0, 6-0 - Brayden Grandlinard

#3S - Ethan Pairitz - 6-1, 6-0 - Dulce Sabio

#1D - Austin Shenk/Matthew Dyck - 6-4, 6-3 - Camden Hyman/Alec Neuenschwander

#2D - Jacob Leininger/Breece Erickson - 6-1, 6-3 - Caleb Selking/Will Mawhorr