What We Really Enjoyed 6: Westview

Enjoy some highlights! 

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What Happened in the Varsity Match?

It was a long weekend for the Bruins, with the seniors gone for their senior trip and the three day break. Though we had gotten together for some hitting through the weekend, many were not at their sharpest to begin today. We tried to make it happen, emphasizing starting out with energy... but on most varsity courts that wasn't what really happened. 

We needed to start with belief. Make the Warriors prove that they could take the match and the control away from us. Instead, we started tentatively, indecisive and on flat feet. We worried and got easily frustrated. And Westview took full advantage of that. In every position except perhaps #2D, the first set was our weakest set of play.

Noah battled in a tight match where he couldn't quite find control of his groundstrokes. Gideon seemed to be a little bit under powered compared to normal. Ian made mistakes too early in the point. Justin and Tristan didn't seem to have a lot of fight. And Emerson and Keagan were often just lacking that last little touch to end points.

But towards the end of the first sets, our rustiness shook off and we began to make it a match. I really enjoyed that resilience from our team today. Justin and Tristan began to take control of the match, to really put the excellent and consistent Warriors doubles team on their heals. Noah began to find the range, and hone in on exactly how to win points. Gideon turned up the ground stroke pace just a bit and began to find serves that did some damage. And Ian mixed up his shots well to force errors. In these second sets, we pushed Westview. 

At #1D, Justin and Tristan had chances to take the second set and move the match to a decisive third. Unfortunately for the Bruins, Westview's players came up with good serves to force errors. In a second set tiebreak, the Warriors also came out as the aggressors - especially with their net energy. They didn't get to every ball, but they just exuded confidence. Typically, the team that is energetic and aggressive in doubles tiebreaks wins, and that's how this ended up. Again, Tristan and Justin fought back, but were too far behind to actually get back in the match.

Gideon headed to a third set while #2D and Ian were pushing their opponents at the end of the second. We really needed just small things to go our way and make a third set possible. Then the energy of playing for the match might have gotten us over the hump. Again, bits of timidity crept in. Totally understandable, but something to learn from. We have to have a smart and aggressive plan, then stay committed to it.

While we fell at 3 spots, Noah wrapped up #1S and Gideon played a tough and tight third set, ending up with the victory. So the final varsity score was 3-2 to Westview. We're so close in these matches to getting over the hump and winning 3-2 matches. Here's to knowing that the next one will go our way, because we will be smart, aggressive and committed!

Goshen News Article (Subscription Required): https://www.goshennews.com/sports/prep-tennis-westview-grinds-out-win-over-home-bruins/article_15d422ca-4c47-11ee-ba2c-333ada7a9136.html 

What Happened in the JV Match?

The JV matches were so much fun tonight. First of all, I actually got to watch most of them, because the varsity was basically finished as the JV went on. Second of all, most of the matches were close, so that made them really enjoyable. Thirdly, we performed really well in the big moments, making comebacks and closing out important games to get a 5-0 team win.

Ethan started us out with a great win at #1SJV. He really has been moving well and hitting with great energy. Again tonight, he just seemed to be really bouncy and on his toes. When he was, his sweeping groundstrokes caused problems and took time away from his opponent. He won his match rather easily in the end, forcing errors and playing well.

Also winning easily were the #1DJV pairing, Elliot and Adam. They were able to serve well and keep rallies relatively short by cutting off weak balls at the net. I really enjoyed their attitude in playing together as well.

The rest of the matches were singles matches, and they all ended with the same scoreline 8-6. Dominic made a remarkable comeback at #2SJV. Down 5-2, he began to really keep his excellent groundstrokes in play. He forced his opponent deep into the court and worked on his impatience. As the Warrior #2SJV player began to give away some errors, Dominic grew in confidence. He finished out a dramatic comeback by breaking serve, clinching a third point for the Bruin victory.

Isaya and Silas were still finishing their matches after the Bruin JV win was guaranteed. Both of these two had tight matches where they had to make adjustments. Isaya needed to see the ball falling short sooner, and make adjustments to his preparation. After Isaya made that little tweak, he dominated the rallies. Silas had to think about his court positioning. Often he was ending up too far outside the court and not moving back to the center. After he moved a bit more, he was able to extend his lead and pull out a victory.

I was really happy for the JV. It was a great 5-0 over a local team!

What Were the 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 :-)

Gideon Outlasting

Before each match this season, I've begun to write cards with things to focus on and things to encourage the team. On Gideon's card for this match I wrote this:

It says, "You've got the biggest tank. You could play all day and night. You can always dig in." So what an amazing match to watch that come true. It was awesome to see Gid dig in again and again against adversity and pull out the win.

JV Forehands

If there is one stroke that is carrying the JV, it is their forehands. They are really putting people under pressure with these strokes. Check out Elliot's forehand return in the reel, or Adam's knifing forehands from the short court, or Ethan's booming baseline forehands, or Silas and his quick energy forehands, or Isaya's full swinging, low flying shots. Hopefully they can continue their great movement and continue to use these great strengths.

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.

Food and Ping Pong

After the match, the team headed over to Dominic's house for a meal together. It was awesome, shooting the breeze sitting in his driveway. We talked about what I appreciated when I taught each of these classes in middle school. And then we played some ping pong. Good times!

Let's Take a Moment of Intention

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

Lord, 

Even when things don't go our way, remember to fill us with joy. There is so much good in a night like tonight, so much that we will remember more than a score. Help us remember. Help us live it.

Amen.

Scores

Varsity

#1S - Noah Schrock - 6-4, 6-0 - Mason Clark (11)

#2S - Gideon Miller - 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 - Kaden Hostetler (9)

#3S - Ian McHugh - 1-6, 5-7 - Dylan Schrock (11)

#1D - Tristan Mast/Justin Hochstedler - 1-6, 6-7 (2) - Gavin Engle (11)/Kaden Grau (10)

#2D - Emerson Landis/Adam Siemens Rhodes - 4-6, 3-6 - Jace Lang (12)/Luke Stults (10)

Junior Varsity

#1SJV - Ethan Claassen - 8-1 - Ethan Miller (9)

#2SJV - Dominic Ramer - 8-6 - Pierce Yoder (9)

#3SJV - Isaya Magatti - 8-6 - Kaleb Iddings (10)

#4SJV - Silas Martin - 8-6 - Drew Ziems (9)

#1DJV - Adam Siemens Rhodes/Elliot Hertzler Gascho - 8-0 - Aaron Roth (10)/Carver Stump (9)