Seniors: Daniel Robles

Thinking of Daniel and tennis, I can always get a movie running in my head of his best points. In that mental video, Daniel is scrambling around the court, sliding for balls that are out wide, getting back and hitting from an awkward position, crushing the ball to an opponent’s backhand. When Daniel is playing his best, he is flying around the court, giving every ball his best effort.

That’s what I love most about Daniel. His heart. He is thoughtful, he is a worker, he loves the others around him. He is willing to sit and talk, to contemplate and listen. I’ve loved conversations with him at tennis camp, about movies or music or food. I’ve loved watching him give his heart to others. I’ve loved watching his effort come out on the tennis court.

Without a doubt, I’ll never forget the Jimtown match at the beginning of this season. Playing #3S for the varsity, the match came down to Daniel’s position. He would win it or lose it for the team. And it looked like he might lose, down 6-3 in a tiebreak. All of a sudden, Daniel’s heart and effort paid off, and he won 5 straight points to bring home a team victory.

I hope that Daniel is able to bring this effort and heart to the community around him in the name of Jesus. I hope that he continues to be sincere and honest and grow in his conversations with others. I know that he will always hope the best for others.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Moments of Beauty: Jimtown

Moment of Beauty #1: Daniel Robles
How can I describe how beautiful this whole match was? It's hard to encompass all the things that made this beautiful - a senior, playing only his third varsity match, struggling at times in practice with keeping his level going all the way through challenges - this player wins the match for the varsity! But to boil it down to one beautiful moment, my favorite was Daniel's overhead. Seth has worked with him in many practices on how to hit that overhead, making it simple by reminding Daniel to point at the ball, time it, and then smash it. Many players ignore the coaching advice to point at the ball, thinking it to be too elementary our something. But Daniel didn't. Late in the final set, as Daniel was down 6-5, he attacked to the backhand and a lob went up close to the net. Daniel's left hand shot into the air to track that ball, and I knew his overhead was going to end the point. Sure, enough he whipped that racket almost hook shot style over his head and pounded down the first point of his comeback. I love it!

Moment of Beauty #2: Dustin Miller
After Lane got the sweet shots to end the tiebreak against Goshen, Dustin attacked the net the end their 3 set match against Jimtown. With Lane serving, up 5-3, Dustin got three net putaways to finish off the Jimmies. The one that sticks in my mind was a simple one. After Lane's serve, Lane put his next groundstroke deep. Dustin had backed up toward the service line until the ball was able to get past the Jimmie net man, then Dustin moved forward to cut off the net and the next ball. Sure enough, it came to his backhand as he moved forward. With a quick step to his right, Dustin extended his backhand volley and kept his momentum going forward. His placement of the volley was perfect, right down the middle, splitting the Jimtown opponents. The volley was solid, hitting near the service line and bouncing low. The Jimmie back player could not reach it before it bounced again. It was beautiful smaggression to close out the match!

Letters from Westview

Dear Team,
Again we played a good match. We played right to potential at almost every position. It was a fun night to watch as well, as we overheaded balls into the woods and ran our opponents into the small fences. We also had sweet comebacks and dominant victories as well as pulling out some close ones.

In general, there was an atmosphere of going about our business. It was a dreary day, we took the courts with concentration and got ourselves going early. Byeong, Sol, and #1D were never seriously challenged, and so we didn't hear as many "C'mons!" and "Let's go's!" I look forward to those more in the future matches.

The most intense matches were probably Lane's at #1SJV and #2D. Ryan and Ethan took the first set without much drama, but then fell down 1-4 in the second. Suddenly they stopped pushing the ball and became aggressive at the net, and the 1-4 hole turned into a 6-4 second set win. And Lane was playing a powerful opponent at #1SJV, which was one of Lane's first singles matches this year. Still he stroked his way to a beautiful victory.

Despite a couple of those victories, we took care of things and now we turn to practice. As we turn to practice, let me challenge all of you like I challenged Lane and Brandon yesterday. As you imagine yourselves playing, as you imagine practice, as you think on upcoming matches - let your thought of how you play go from playing good to playing elite. Imagine what it would look like to play elite tennis this season. Now let's pursue that.

Dear Lane + Your Sophomore Fans,
As we got to the end of the match, I looked around and thought, "Where is everybody?" I was watching Jesse finish up his match and I couldn't find like 7-8 of our players. Then I looked down to the end of the long line of courts, and there they all were, gathered on the bleachers, watching Lane play toward the finish line. It was a close match, and you, Lane, were leading 7-6. And there were all your friends, cheering you on. The JV match was basically won. But they were there for you.

That's what can truly make your class a special one. You encourage each other on to even greater greatness :-)

Dear Hans and Simon,
That was a great win. It was simple. You anticipated well. Keep getting better together.

Dear Stephen Gierek,
I loved your passion. You team had already lost, but you were in a tough match. You seemed to focus on the process. When you'd make an error you would often say to yourself, "Swing through." My team has been talking about focal points, and that sounded like it was yours. When you won the match, you dropped your racket and did a double fist pump. I could tell that you had passion. I liked it. We all show our passion in different ways, and it looked like you were showing yours in your own way last night.

Dear Jesse,
You didn't have your best night last night. But I say that not based on the score, but based on the fact that you missed some of your bread and butter shots. That's okay. Really, that's okay. The other night when Sol presented the devotional about humility, we talked about giving ourselves permission to miss. That also means we have to give ourselves permission to have an off day. The key is reminding yourself what it looks like to play good and pursuing that the next time with confidence. Next time out, intensely pursue your best!

Moment of Sheer Beauty
Hans and Simon at #1D are a mix of power and precision. So much of the time we reward power, but the best point of the entire match today came as a result of Hans precision. Swept out wide in a long rally, Hans hit an angled ball short to the forehand side. Opponent Jeryl Weaver chased it down and topspinned an even better ball forcing Hans almost into Byeong's #2S court. Hans then hit a flat ball back across the court, landing near the sideline but at an extreme angle. Weaver sprinted forward and wide forward, racket out in front of him to scoop the ball. But he collided with the side fence first as the ball arrived. His precise and controlled ball ended up being the most aggressive and winning play!

Moment of Savage Beauty
Daniel's whole style of play could be described as scrambling. He never gives up on a ball. Tonight, playing with Joel, he ran down so many different shots that slipped over Joel's head when Joel was at the net. But the best shots of the night were when Daniel got to the net. Using his scrambling ability, he scamper across the net and slam the volleys or overheads away. It wasn't just one beautiful point, it was again and again. Unfortunately, the #3DJV night didn't end up in victory. But that made me want to give this award to Daniel even more. We shouldn't judge our matches based on result, but instead ask the question: Did we play how we wanted to? On this night, Daniel the scrambler did, and he turned it into savage power.

SCORES

Varsity
#1S - Jesse Amstutz - 4-6, 2-6 - Stephen Gierek (12)
#2S - Byeong Min Lim - 6-1, 6-0 - Zack Schrock (11)
#3S - Sol Brenneman - 6-1, 6-1 - Trey Zabona (10)
#1D - Hans Miller/Simon Hurst - 6-2, 6-2 - Andrew Yoder (11)/Jeryl Weaver (10)
#2D - Ryan Duckworth/Landon Weldy - 6-2, 6-4 - Taylor Eash (12)/Austin Hostetler (9)

Junior Varsity 
#1SJV - Lane Miller - 8-6 - Alex Stutzman (11)
#2SJV - Jacob Gonsalves - 8-2 - Rafael Flores (10)
#3SJV - Jackson King - 6-1
#4SJV - Jonathan Yousey - 6-3
#1DJV - Landon Weldy/Brandon Nguyen - 8-3 - Benson Stoltzfus (11)/Ryan Barker (9)
#2DJV - Dustin Miller/Lucas Brownsberger-Keyes - 8-2 - Chris Junik (11)/Braydon Avery (9)
#3DJV - Daniel Robles/Joel Yoder - 6-7 (4)

Letters, August 8

Dear Ethan Lapp,
What I've loved about you at the start of this tennis season is that you consistently play consistent tennis. In high school, that's going to win you a whole bunch of matches. And you've already started to experience that in practice. We've been talking in devotionals about what everyone can give to the team, and I don't think you probably realize how much a consistent tennis player like yourself is giving to the team. Everyone who plays you is going to get better because they have to hit so many balls. From the best player on the team to the bottom, everyone benefits from hitting with you. And I haven't even mentioned how your personality is appreciated. Your outward expression is the perfect example of our prayer - "Let our ever present calm be evident." All in all you are a steadying and much appreciated member of the team. Thanks for sharing it this first week.

Dear Jacob Gonsalves,
Wow! How much better you've gotten this year. I mean, when you hit those devastating forehands into my backhand corner, I can hardly return them. Throughout the offseason, you've worked on the right things (especially getting your serve in) that allow you to now be competitive in matches with the varsity and high level players. Now I love to have you play with them. Your groundstrokes are certainly at a varsity level. And I loved your answer in devotional time the other day, as I asked what people could share with the team. Most people were taking the true but easier answer of being encouraging, and you shared that you could lend your gentleness to the team. What an overlooked gift gentleness is. I can see that in you as well. Thanks for sharing it!

Dear Daniel Robles,

I can say much the same thing to you as to Jacob. You've continued to improve this year. Your crosscourt rally skills the other day were impressive as I counted a 30 stroke forehand rally with Coach Daniel. But again, more impressive to was what you did outside of tennis. More impressive was what you did relationally. When we picked teams to play Defenders on Thursday, you picked several players with your first picks who often get picked with everyones last pick. That takes awareness and compassion. I love to see that in my tennis brothers. Thank you for thinking of that. And the beautiful thing. . . your team won! Daniel, I appreciate you so much. Thank you for sharing with the team this week.

Dear Team,
Part of this week we talked about fears and wounds. My greatest fear is what others might think of me. I can often be influenced not by what is right for the team, but by the things that those around me want. I make mistakes because of this. I still remember two of my biggest mistakes as a coach came from this fear and weakness. I remember challenging a Bremen player and coach about line calls because my number 1 player was so upset and wanted me to, so I ignored the protocol and was out of line. I still cringe when I think about that. However, I thank you guys for being mature enough to give us a place to talk about these fears and struggles. It is when we deal with the bad together that we really become family.

Dear Jesus,
You are the center. You are the healer. If we have been afraid, angry, ashamed, deceitful, or despairing - our only true wholeness comes from Your hand. I think about the compassion that You had on the widow coming out of the city of Nain in Luke 7. Splagchnon: feeling what she was feeling right down into Your guts. I am thankful that you have that same intense compassion, intense empathy for us as well. You are close to us, our Philippians verse says. You are feeling for us. You can bring us back to wholeness. If our every breath is gratitude, let it be in gratitude to You.

Dear God,
What prayer can I really have? It has been a blessed first week. May we rejoice in You! May we continued to have our hearts, souls, mind and strengths conformed to Your will and desires. Amen.

Daniel Robles

2016
Varsity: 4-4, JV: 7-2
#1DJV - Northridge - Mitchell Yoder (11)/Brant Brouillette (10) - 6-0
#3S - Goshen - Simon Myers (11) - 3-6, 1-6
#3S - Jimtown - Andrew Emeigh (11) - 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (6)
#3S - Concord - Nate Slabach (10) - 1-6, 3-6
#1DJV - Fremont - Eli McNaughton (9)/Chase Boals (9) - 8-1
#3S - Northwestern - Brevin Sanford - 5-0
#3S - Western - Tate Lockwood (11) - 2-6, 2-6
#1SJV - Mishawaka Marian - Dustin Greer (9) - 6-1
#2S - Prairie Heights - forfeit
#3S - Triton - Carter Kuntz - 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
#3S - Westview - Ryan Barker (11) - 2-6, 3-6
#1SJV - NorthWood - Gerd Matamoros (11) - 8-3
#4DJV - NorthWood - Brennan Yoder (12)/Stonewall Craft (12) - 1-8
#1SJV - Blackhawk Christian - Aaron Jentgen - 8-0
#1SJV - Elkhart Central - Zack Pelletier (10) - 6-8
#1SJV - Fairfield - Tanner Nunemaker (10) - 6-4
#1SJV - Rochester - David Sayger (10) - 8-3


2015

2-1 (Varsity); 7-4 (JV)
#2SJV - Northridge - Ethan Siegal (9) - 8-3
#2SJV - Jimtown - Andrew Emeigh (10) - 8-6
#1SJV - Goshen - Giovanni Aguayo (12) - 5-8
#2S - Laville - Cam McDaniel (10) - 6-1, 6-1
#1SJV - Concord - Jacob Shetterly (10) - 8-4
#5DJV - Concord - Carson Green (10)/Alex Serwatka (9) - 6-0
#3S - Fremont - Evan Trusty (10) - 0-6, 1-6
#1SJV - Mishawaka Marian - Jonah Davey (12) - 8-2
#3S - Prairie Heights - Logan Walter (12) - 6-4, 6-2
#1SJV - Triton - Austin Salgado (10) - 8-0
#1SJV - Westview - Ryan Barker (10) - 2-8
#1SJV - Elkhart Central - Lucas Brownsberger-Keyes (10) - 0-8
#3DJV - Elkhart Central - 6-0
#1SJV - Fairfield - Jesse Grimm (11) - 2-8

2014

16-5 (JV and Overall)
#3SJV - Jimtown - Matt DeCloedt (10) - 3-8
#2SJV - Goshen - Drew Weddle (11) - 3-8
#2SJV - Concord - Jake Lovette (10) - 8-2
#3SJV - Fremont - Thayne Camp (9) - 8-2
#5DJV - Fremont - Dylan Wesenfelder (9)/Caleb Shannon (9) - 6-1
#2DJV - West Noble - Tyler Clouse (12)/Marcus Weimer (9) - 8-3
#2DJV - Concord - 8-6
#2SJV - Jimtown - 8-2
#2DJV - Triton - Richard Riedl (12)/Tanner Senff (11) - 8-1
#2DJV - Northridge - Eric Firstenburger (9)/Isaiah Zuercher (9) - 8-3
#3DJV - Westview - 6-7 (4)
#3SJV - NorthWood - Nate Nunemaker (11) - 8-3
#6DJV - NorthWood - Nick Sherk (10)/Brennan Yoder (9) - 6-1
#3SJV - Blackhawk Christian - Anthony Sheron (9) - 8-2
#3DJV - Elkhart Central - 8-3
#6DJV - Elkhart Central - Manny Sanchez (11)/??? - 6-3
#3SJV - Fort Wayne Snider - W
#3SJV - Angola - L
#3SJV - Fremont - W
#2SJV - Fairfield - Jesse Grimm (10) - 8-3
#3DJV - Bremen - Hudson Thornton (10)/Seth Stine (9) - 6-8


2013

4-3 (JV)
#4DJV - Goshen - Drake Hostetler (10)/Jacob Grewe (10) - 6-2
#6DJV - Concord - Jake Diver (9)/Spenser Jaenichen (11) - 2-8
#5DJV - Fremont - Nick LaRose (9)/Jackson Cardosa (9) - 2-6
#2SJV - Laville - Luke Wilson (10) - 8-0
#6DJV - NorthWood - Matthew Checkley (9)/Breydon Stankovich (9) 6-4
#6DJV - Fairfield - Carver DeWitt-Gall (11)/Joey Gibson (9) - 6-1
#3DJV - Howe - 5-7