Enjoy Some Highlights!
What Happened in the Varsity Match?
We got started with this match about 5 days before we actually finished it, playing a grand total of 9 points as a team before the storms roared through on Aug. 17. Then, on Aug. 22, we finished the rest of the many points of the match. Throughout the rest of this varsity match, there was a theme - we played nice points, but couldn't win the big ones.
The singles matches were all similar, in that the points were long and we were striking similar types of shots to our RedHawk opponents. We just couldn't often find our way through. Noah and his opponent at #1S were both hitting big, damaging forehands and pushing each other back in the court. Games would get to 30-30, and then Noah would often be the one to sail a slice just long, hit the tape with an aggressive ball, or miss an awkward overhead.
At #2S, the points were different, they were a little bit longer and loopier. But still, Gideon served and rallied just fine. Here it was that Gideon, typically one of our most solid volleyers, was missing the final ball when he attacked. Because of this he had to resort to consistency, and did that really well. Still, we found ourselves lacking the final shot to really push through the rally.
Ian's match was fun to watch. Both players were consistent but looked to get on the offensive when possible. When Ian's attacking shots were working, it really provided a foothold for Ian to get forward to the net and put some pressure on. Often, we were just forced to hit so many of those attacking shots, while the accuracy of the RedHawk #3 was really a strength.
In doubles, both teams served and ground-stroked well throughout the match. Especially enjoyable was the second set at #1D, where we really formed the plan we wanted to play with and just went for it. It didn't always come off, but it was good to see Tristan and Justin focused on what they needed to do. The strong ground strokes of the Goshen players often pushed us back, but their net play was also very good.
Same story at #2D. Emerson and Keagan really played well off the ground in this match, but Goshen held the net very strongly. We had trouble finding ways through their significant net presence. But it was really enjoyable to see the forehands and backhands #2D drove at their opponents. It made for some really good tennis, watching the RedHawks lunge around and use their touch to hit Emerson and Keagan's solid passing shots.
In the end, our good play didn't end up getting us a match, or even a set. But it got us a lot of growth. I'm very confident headed into our next match that we are in a good place. And I am really looking forward to enjoying it.
What Happened in the JV Match?
Because the JV match occurred at the same time as the varsity, but at a separate location, I didn't have the opportunity to see the tennis we played in the first round of matches. However, because Goshen has a large contingent of players, each of our players were able to get a second round match. And the second round matches were awesome.
In evenly contested matchups, we enjoyed watching both the moments of triumph and the areas of growth in our teammates. Dominic was contacting the ball beautifully through most of his match. However, when he'd get to big moments he would try to add just a bit too much power and mistime the ball. With some quick tips from the coach, he entered his second set with focus on keeping the ball in play and making wise shot choices. He played some great tennis, and it was really fun. Again though, like the varsity, in tight moments Goshen would come up with some shots that put pressure on Dominic. Dominic closed out a close match, losing 2-4, 3-5 in two mini-sets.
All the rest of the second round matches went to some form of a tiebreak. #1DJV, Adam and Elliot, had an amazing comeback of a set. After not playing their best in the first set, they found a level of consistency that was really great in the second. They really start owning the net, which is so important in doubles. In the second set, they had a chance to close out at 4-3, but then got pushed to a tiebreak. In the tiebreak, they also took the early lead, but then couldn't close it out. It was a great reminder that loose and aggressive typically wins in tiebreak doubles.
At the next doubles position, we got to see Isaya and Ethan learning on the fly. Both have played more singles matches this year, but after some quick encouragement in their second set, they really began to play well together. Ethan patrolled the net and Isaya was quick to run down just about anything that got past. They forced a third set, which was played as a ten point tiebreak. Again, we got the lead early but then lost our aggression. The final points of the tiebreak were big forehands and big serves from the more aggressive of the two RedHawk players.
At the final doubles position, Malachi and Silas had an up and down match. Silas served really well and Malachi leaped around the net for many high-flying slams. But they also had times of inconsistency. As with many ninth graders, learning to put the first couple of shots in play is so important, relaxing and getting that point started.
We learned so many things in this match, and I also feel really confident moving forward with these guys. Can't wait for the next matches.
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 :-)
Simple, Beautiful Doubles
Keagan and Emerson had a point that just shows why I love doubles. I really enjoy it because it is often so simple. In the #2D match, there was one point that really showed this quality. Emerson hit a wonderful serve down the middle of the deuce court. It was to the backhand of the returner, and they squirted a ball across the middle of the net. Keagan lunged to his right to cut off the path of this ball, volleying it squarely past the feet of the second RedHawk player. It was a 1-2 moment, serve and then volley, and the point was over. I love it when it is simple.
Big Forehands
Noah may have played a bit of a nervous match. His normal consistency and retrieval was off a bit. But at the end of his match he shook that off to clobber some enormous forehands. I love seeing us outlast our opponent's in long points, but I especially love seeing us whizz a mid-court ball past them for a winner at the end of a long point. These shots are such momentum builders, and Noah was almost able to capitalize and find a way back into the match behind these shots.
Gideon Fights Off 3 Match Points
When a match isn't going your way, it is easy to just give in. Down 2-5 and 3 match points, Gid could have lost focus. But instead, he fought his way back to deuce in the game. He did it in various ways. Good returns. Long rallies. Quick recoveries. Passing shots and lobs. But he found a way to turn the pressure back onto his opponent. Love to see that!
Tristan and Justin's Second Set
At the beginning of the second set of #1D, Tristan and Justin looked in trouble. They looked down and out after having not won a game in the first set. I challenged them though to stick with the focus, and wow, they responded. Their shots, their feet, their net movement, their attitude... it all seemed to pick up in this match. I loved the number of times I saw them talking and laughing. And it reflected in the scores as well. They almost pushed the match really close several times. It was great character and focus to build on.
Second Round Energy
The JV's energy and enjoyment in the second round of matches was awesome. Despite the heat and having already played one full match, our team really seemed to love the opportunity to play more tennis. I must say, that's what makes me smile the most, when we just can't seem to get enough tennis!
What Were the 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.
Echoes
After the JV match, we were sitting around and eating. We were talking about how to cheer each other on. Isaya mentioned that during the match he heard a teammate call out "C'mon" in joy after a good point. Isaya went to cheer, but then wasn't sure if he should during the middle of the match. We were able to then introduce the ninth graders to the idea of the echo - when you hear someone cheer, you immediately echo the cheer. I can't wait to hear this in the coming matches, especially with our awesome group of ninth graders.
Let's Take a Moment of Intention
This is a space where I will offer a short prayer for the team.
Lord, help us remember what tennis is all about. Bringing our best, but just one point at a time. May we feel the freedom of this, the ability to start a new moment with every point. In Lamentations, the writer expresses that Your mercies are new every morning. There is such freedom in that newness. May we see how tennis illustrates that principle, that each new point is free of expectation and thus full of mercy. May we play in that joy, and thank You for the world of mercy around us.
Amen.
Scores
Varsity
#1S - Noah Schrock - 1-6, 1-6 - Isaac Stahly (12)
#2S - Gideon Miller - 2-6, 2-6 - Eli Stickel (10)
#3S - Ian McHugh - 0-6, 0-6 - Evan Hochstedler (12)
#1D - Tristan Mast/Justin Hochstedler - 0-6, 2-6 - Myles Mclaughlin (12)/Kyan Miller (11)
#2D - Emerson Landis/Keagan Meyer - 2-6, 1-6 - Tyler Scott (12)/Moses Kratzer (12)
Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Ethan Claassen - 0-4, 2-5 - Braxten Sheets (12)
#2SJV - Dominic Ramer - 1-4, 0-4 - Erich Schramm (12)
#3SJV - Isaya Magatti - 0-4, 4-0, 4-10 - David Stutzman (11)
#4SJV - Dominic Ramer - 2-4, 3-5 - Jordy Miller (9)
#1DJV - Adam Siemens Rhodes/Elliot Hertzler Gascho - 1-4, 1-4 - Jacob Murphy (12)/Anton Alstrom (12)
#2DJV - Malachi Yoder/Silas Martin - 1-4, 1-4 - Holden Ebright Zehr (9)/Mo Watt (10)
#3DJV - Adam Siemens Rhodes/Elliot Hertzler Gascho - 0-4, 4-5 (6) - Lawson Kauffman (12)/Tristan Keiser (9)
#4DJV - Isaya Magatti/Ethan Claassen - 2-4, 4-2, 7-10 - Jude Eberly (9)/Isaac Moore (9)
#5DJV - Malachi Yoder/Silas Martin - 4-1, 4-5 (7), 4-10 - Andrew Hughes (9)/Tristan Schmidt (9)
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