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Varsity
This match was one of those matches where playing the best brings out the best. In our previous two matches against "really good teams," we have come into the match playing tentative. We had backed up and backed off. We had not played aggressive. Tonight, we changed those tendencies. Unfortunately, it didn't make too big of a difference on the scoreboard, but I was proud of the way we worked!
Noah, Gideon and Ian all had very similar matches. They came out aggressive, working the ball around the court and finding places to take their chances. They were not going to be intimidated, even though the Warriors were hitting bigger shots. Noah and Gideon both had chances to take the lead in the first game, which would have been a great way to add on some pressure. Unfortunately, the Westview players in those singles positions came up with corner shots, and that was the story of the night. Any time we'd get an opening at #1S or #2S, the Warriors would slam it shut with a smart but aggressive shot. That's what great players do.
Ian had some long rallies at #2S. His opponent didn't have quite the same finishing skills as #1S and #2S, but he could keep the play going and keep the pressure on. These long rallies were good for Ian, as he got a lot of practice and stayed in them for a good while. Many times, Ian was able to find a way in the long points.
At #2D, Emerson and Tristan struggled in the long points. In short points that could be ended with a big forehand by Tristan or a clipped volley by Emerson, they did great. In long rallies, they found themselves pushed back. But it was good competition, and a good chance to realize where to improve.
The real long match of the night was at #1D. Breece and Cam had played a match together last week, but it hadn't been very much of a contest. Tonight, they were pushed. Immediately into the match, Breece found his serve broken and the two were trying to dig out of a 2-0 hole. From there, they would hold serve the rest of the set - but couldn't break. So in the set, they lost 6-4.
But they immediately began to assert themselves in the second set. At this point, the match became so high quality. Cameron was finding passing shots down the line, Breece was patrolling the net and hitting big serves. And the Warriors struck beautiful one handed backhands and showed great touch at the net. There was so little to separate the two teams. So, I offered simple advice all night - "Stay aggressive."
And, for tonight, this belief and attitude was rewarded.
Rewarded in points that we'll never forget - like Breece's tweener (!) and Cameron's angled volleys.
Rewarded in the third set, making an early break and taking a lead.
Rewarded when we got tight, and the Warriors were serving for the match, and we were able to make a break in serve - twice!
Rewarded in the final set tiebreak, where we raced out to a 5-1 lead and actually finished the tiebreak 7-1.
Every time that Breece and Cameron were against the wall, they kept their belief. They stayed moving. They stayed positive. They went for their shots. In the end, that was the difference. As they finished off the victory, the whole team celebrated. It was fun to see our leaders get this awesome memory, what a reward!
JV Recap
Westview only had two JV players eligible for this match, but after our guys were unable to play last week, I wanted to make sure that everyone got a match. So we played two singles matches, and then a doubles match.
The first two singles matches were great. Gabo continues to improve on his movement and consistency. He's getting better at point construction as well. But most of all, he has great instincts on the court. The more he trusts those the better he gets. Tonight, he got really close to claiming a singles victory at #1SJV! Though it can be frustrating to get close and not break through, I keep reminding Gabo that he's only getting close because he's getting better.
At #2SJV, Elliot grabbed his first win of the season. He was very consistent, as evidenced by a video that got taken of him playing a 20 stroke rally and winning the point. He played smart tennis and was able to be patient enough to see the errors come. It was a great match for him.
Those two Warrior players then turned around and played again, this time against Adam and Dominic. Adam played some good strokes, but struggles sometimes to know how to make a difference in the match when he's playing singles. In doubles, he is consistent from the baseline and then attacks the net. In singles, this wasn't working as well, as his opponent found great lobs to keep him off balance.
Dominic played a great match, with his confidence swinging wildly throughout. That belief makes a huge difference in a match, which we also saw in the varsity contest. Dominic started off well, winning the first 3 games. Then he lost four in a row. Then Daniel picked him up and told him he could do it! He also told him to concentrate on watching the ball. Suddenly, the strokes came back and Dominic won 3 straight games again to take the set.
That set up a 2-2 scoreline entering the doubles. I was confident in Keagan and Justin. But they entered the match with very low energy and timid footwork. Falling down 1-5, it looked like the match was done, and that we would have lost the JV. But Daniel and I cheered them on, hoping that they would realize that in tennis you are never done. You always get a chance to win the next point, and if you do, you stay alive. Suddenly, they did come alive. They hit a winning streak of 6 straight games, which gave them a 7-5 victory.
It was a really fun way to end the JV match, with such a great comeback. And it allowed us all to gather in support of Cam and Breece's epic win!
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 :-)
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 :-)
Coming Soon!
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.
This segment is where I'll highlight ways that we built each other up during the match or the lead up to it.
All for One (or Two!)
Last night, Cam and Breece's match took nearly 3 hours. It ended a full 45 minutes after every other match. It ended at least an hour and a half after the other varsity matches. But the whole team was invested in it. People were paying attention, cheering, and pulling for them. I loved this because no one seemed to be moping around about their match, but instead had turned to encouragement of others. At tennis camp, we talked about where we turn - to God, to our teammates, to each other. Tonight seemed like a great example of the team turning to give support and joy to Breece and Cam. And it ended up being really rewarding!
Moment of Intention
This is a space where I will offer a short prayer for the team.
God, on nights like tonight, I am grateful for the way we can celebrate one another. Not everyone played well all night long. Not everyone won. But we got to celebrate the times where we saw others play well. We got to "ooooh" and "aaaahh" over other teammate's great points. We got to smile and dance when Breece and Cam wrapped up their victory. And I'm grateful to have these guys on this team. Thanks God, for bringing this group of guys together. Help us to learn from each other, celebrate for each other, and give to each other.
Scores
Varsity
#1S - Noah Schrock - 0-6, 0-6 - Isaiah Hostetler (12)#2S - Gideon Miller - 0-6, 1-6 - Jethro Hostetler (12)
#3S - Ian McHugh - 0-6, 1-6 - Kylen Bender (12)
#1D - Breece Erickson/Cameron Heinisch - 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (1) - Cole Mast (12)/Mason Clark (10)
#2D - Tristan Mast/Emerson - 0-6, 1-6 - Dawson Schrock (12)/Gavin Engle (10)
Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Gabo Brenneman Ochoa - 4-6 - Jace Lang (11)
#2SJV - Elliot Hertzler Gascho - 6-1 - Aaron Roth (9)
#3SJV - Adam Siemens Rhodes - 1-6 - Jace Lang (11)
#4SJV - Dominic Ramer - 6-4 - Aaron Roth (9)
#1DJV - Justin Hochstedler/Keagan Meyer - 7-5 - Jace Lang (11)/Aaron Roth (9)
Good information.
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