Senior Statement: Dustin Miller

Dustin has always been a dominant tennis player. As far as tennis records go, I think Dustin might be one of the most “under-the-radar” great players we’ve had at Bethany. In his two years playing mostly JV, he had a record of 23-5. On the varsity over the last two years, he’s had a winning percentage of 78%, a percentage that would rank him 6th all time at Bethany. This year, he’s been the perfect doubles partner for two players as we’ve rotated the lineup around, trying to find the best way for the team to win.

But as with all of the players here at Bethany, Dustin’s play on the court is not the thing that makes me appreciate him the most. Instead, what I love about Dustin is his earnestness. Dustin shows sincere and intense conviction and effort in the things he commits to.

I have seen that evidenced in so many situations throughout his career. In the first time he was forced to play varsity (before he was really ready) as a sophomore. In our 1:00 AM conversations outside the prayer room last year at tennis camp, about faith and his experiences. In his dedication to succeed with many doubles partners these past two seasons. In an intense drill of crosscourt battles this summer at tennis camp. In his continued dedication to the team in the time since his injury.

It’s the word “battle” that sticks out to me with Dustin. When I drill against him, he is one of the few players who doesn’t get intimidated when I hit the ball hard. He is one of the few players who takes an aggressive swing against me. One of the few to beat me in my “unbeatable” game of “One Man War.” He doesn’t back down from things, he sticks with it, he wrestles and finds a way to win. It reminds me of the Old Testament story of Jacob, who spent a night tussling with God and wouldn’t give up. In the morning, God gave him the name Israel which means “wrestles with God.” I pray that this aspect of Dustin’s life continues to be an emblem of his faith as well. That he will wrestle with God, and be faithful to Christ’s call on his life.

Psalm 73:26, 28
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever...
as for me, it is good to be near God.

Moment of Beauty: Mishawaka Marian

Moment of Beauty #1: Dustin Miller
Okay, this was one of the best moments of beauty all season long. Dustin and Lane got rolling in the third set against the Knights, but the most awesome point of the match was Dustin's overhead.

From the baseline.

From of his opponent's overhead.

Yep, it was so epic it deserved it's own paragraphs. Dustin and Lane were doing a great job trying to attack the net before the Knights were able to get there, but on this point, the Knights took the net before us. They forced Dustin back with a deep ball, and his response was a great low attacking forehand. Then the Knights volleyed it deep and Dustin put up a lob over the right side of the net. The Knight player on that side shuffled two steps and pounded an overhead down, just over the tape and powerfully into the ground. It bounced up high in the air, threatening to go over Dustin's head but Dustin quickly stepped back two steps and reached up for his own overhead. Which he laced right through the two Marian players at the net. It landed inside the baseline in the middle of the court, a no doubt winner!

Moment of Beauty #2: Jackson King
Playing against an opponent who didn't hit the ball very hard, Jackson had plenty of opportunities to use his strength, his forehand groundstroke. And Jackson used that all over the court today to put pressure on his opponent and force errors. My favorite example was a point in the middle of the match, just a regular old point but it did exactly what it needed to. First, Jackson returned the ball through the middle of the court, forcing his opponent back. Then he sent the next forehand with little speed or spin but down the line to his opponent's backhand. The return came back down that line, floating high and landing inside the service line. Jackson skipped up to it and came over the top, sending a spinning ball crosscourt and just inside the sideline. Though his opponent sprinted for it, he was too late and the ball ended up a cleanly and safely hit winner. It was a beautiful set up and a beautiful way of Jackson using his strength.

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!

Dustin Miller

Career Records
Most Wins in a Season: 16 (2016)
Farthest Advanced in State Tourney: Individual Doubles Sectional Semi-Final (2017)
Longest Winning Streak: 8 matches (2017)
Most Sets Won in a Row: 12 sets (2016)
Biggest Win: 6-0, 6-0 (5 times)
Closest Win: 7-6 (3), 5-7, 7-6 (1) against Goshen, 2016
Career Tiebreakers Won: 8
Career Tiebreakers Won Percentage: 66.7%
Career 3rd Sets Won: 6
Season 3rd Sets Won: 4 (2016)
Career Games Won Percentage:
Season Games Won Percentage:
Career 3rd Sets Won Percentage: 50.0%
Matches Won in a Row w/ a 6-0 Set: 1
Matches Won 1st Varsity Season: 4 matches

2017

14-3 (Varsity)

#1D - Jimtown - Andrew Emeigh (12)/Nate Behrens (11) - 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4
#1D - Northridge - Logan Corns (12)/Eric Firstenberger (12) - 7-5, 6-2
#1D - Goshen - Diego Torres (11)/Ben Bontrager-Singer (11) - 6-4, 7-6 (2)
#1D - Concord - Cal Whitaker (11)/Travis Hermon (10) - 6-2, 7-6 (6)
#1D - Fremont - Ben Sherbondy (12)/Luke Chelinski (11) - 6-0, 6-0
#1D - Western - Mason Anderson (12)/Henry Lerche (12) - 6-7 (6), 6-3, (10-5)
#1D - Lebanon - Sam Hood/Thomas Engels - 6-1, 6-0
#1D - Lafayette Central Catholic - Joe Regich (12)/Brenner Oliver (9) - 6-2, 6-1
#1D - Mishawaka Marian - Michael Gray (12)/Dominic Rafinski (12) - 4-6, 6-2, 3-6
#1D - Prairie Heights - Cameron Penick (11)/Garrett Culler (11) - 6-0, 6-0
#1D - Fairfield - Andrew Mamone (12)/Tanner Nunemaker (11) - 2-6, 6-3, 5-7
#1D - Taylor - Jacob Doty (12)/Casey Switzer (11) - 6-0, 6-0
#1D - Wabash - Matt Stein (12)/Alex Driscoll (11) - 6-4, 6-0
#1D - Eastern - Manny Moreno (12)/John Rush (10) - 6-2, 6-2
#1D - Fairfield - Andrew Mamone (12)/Tanner Nunemaker (11) - 6-3, 6-1
#1D - Goshen - Diego Torres (11)/Ben Bontrager-Singer (11) - 7-5, 6-4
#1D - NorthWood - Jared Hoffman (12)/Brant Mast (12) - 4-6, 6-4, 2-6

2016

16-6 (Varsity)

#2D - Northridge - Drew Wheatly (10)/Gabe Rodino (9) - 4-6, 6-2, 2-6
#2D - Goshen - Bobby Sessa (12)/Drake Crowder (10) - 7-6 (3), 5-7, 7-6 (1)
#2D - Jimtown - Matt DeCloedt (12)/Bill Pawlak (9) - 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3
#2D - Concord - Jake Lovette (12)/Freddy Buckingham (10) - 4-6, 5-7
#2D - Fremont - Dylan Weisenfelder (11)/Josh Rode (10) - 6-2, 6-1
#2D - Western - Ashton Guyer (11)/Mason Anderson (11) - 4-6, 5-7
#2D - Mishawaka Marian - Michael Duranek (12)/Kenny Klimek (12) - 4-6, 6-1, 6-3
#2D - Prairie Heights - forfeit
#2D - Triton - Grant Eib/Tyler Heckaman - 6-3, 6-0
#2D - Westview - Peyton Schrock (10)/Ryan Miller (10) - 7-6 (2), 6-7 (1), 6-2
#2D - NorthWood - Trevor Klotz (11)/Jack Wysong (9) - 6-3, 6-4
#2D - Blackhawk Christian - Levi Mossburg (11)/Logan Foote (11) - 6-0, 6-0
#2D - Elkhart Central - Dane Frieden (10)/Adam Moon (11) - 3-6, 4-6
#2D - Merrillville - ??? / ??? - 6-3, 6-3
#2D - Highland - Harrison Bronisz/Fred Kepler - 4-6, 6-2, (8-10)
#2D - Centerville - Nathan Cheek/Bennet Walther - 5-7, 6-2, (8-10)
#2D - Fairfield - Joel Knopf (12)/Aaron Streit (10) - 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
#2D - Rochester - Chase Brown (11)/Carlton Mullet (12) - 6-0, 6-3
#2D - Taylor - Quentin Inman (10)/B.J. Pemberton (10) - 6-1, 6-1
#2D - Wabash - Matt Stein (11)/Ayden Kochar (11) - 6-1, 6-0
#2D - Eastern - Matt Harrison (9)/Caleb Newhouse (10) - 6-2, 6-1
#2D - Goshen - Nathaniel Wertz (12)/Diego Torres (10) - 7-6 (3), 6-1

2015

4-4 (Varsity), 8-1 (JV)
#2D - Jimtown - Isaac Pope (12)/Michael Gray (10) - 2-6, 2-6
#1SJV - Northridge - Drew Wheatley (9) - 8-4
#1DJV - Goshen - Bobby Sessa (11)/Nathanael Wertz (11) - 2-8
#4SJV - Goshen - Nathan Burns (11) - 8-0
#2D - Laville - Connor Carlisle (11)/Robert Clingaman (10) - 6-0, 6-0
#2SJV - Concord - Broc Johnson (10) - 8-4
#6DJV - Concord - Isaac Fisher (9)/Jared Kohn (10) - 6-1
#2D - Fremont - Keegan Connelly (12)/Jordan Rode (12) - 6-0, 6-2
#1SJV - Concord - Gideon Butler (11) - 8-3
#1DJV - Mishawaka Marian - Son Kim (11)/Alex Berta (10) - 8-1
#2SJV - Triton - Austin Salgado (10) - 8-0
#1DJV - Westview - 5-0
#3S - Elkhart Central - Riley Norris (12) - 2-6, 1-6
#3S - Centerville - Skyler Benedict - 2-6, 1-6
#3S - Merrillville - Justin Jackson - 8-4
#3S - Portage - Alex Bourge - 8-2
#3S - Fairfield - Dylan Kaufman (10) - 3-6, 1-6

2014

15-4 (JV)
#4SJV - Jimtown - Jarod Hohl (10) - 8-3
#4DJV - Goshen - Aidan Strite (10)/Nathan Burns (10) - 8-6
#3SJV - Concord - Jacob Shetterly (9) - 8-5
#3DJV - Fremont - Cole Thomas (9)/Jacy Blades (9) - 8-0
#3SJV - NorthWood - 3-8
#3SJV - Jimtown - 8-1
#2DJV - Triton - Richard Riedl (12)/Tanner Senff (11) - 8-1
#3SJV - Northridge - Aman Patel (10) - 8-3
#2DJV - Westview - Chris Junik (11)/Braydon Avery (9) - 8-2
#2DJV - NorthWood - Sean Linhart (12)/Jarrett Skaggs (11) - 8-5
#5SJV - NorthWood - Chandler Gillam (10) - 8-3
#2DJV - Elkhart Central - Langston Johnson (11)/Gabe Lindholm (11) - 3-8
#5DJV - Elkhart Central - Jared Reid (9)/Bryce Daub (9) - 6-0
#2DJV - Fort Wayne Snider - W
#2DJV - Angola - L
#2DJV - Fremont - W
#3SJV - Fairfield - Mitchell Yoder (10) - 1-8
#3DJV - Fairfield - Jarin Bontrager (9)/Jediah Corbin (9) - 8-1
#2DJV - Bremen - Brian Cruz (9)/Jordan Thornton (9) - 8-1

Letters from Northridge

Dear Team,
Congratulations on another good night of tennis. From the moment this match started, I felt good about it. We've been emphasizing the importance of starting a match with intensity, and tonight I felt like we were focused and intense from the beginning. At every position we took early leads, I believe we led either 4-1 or 5-2 in every first set, and we were able to finish off those sets without too much drama. Then we were able to carry that momentum into the second set in every position except #2 doubles (who just figured they would rather play longer on a beautiful night rather than sit and watch :-)

On the JV level, Northridge had one of the most talented teams we've played. They have a very talented freshman class and a few others who round out their team. But we met that level well in our matches. I was also glad to actually get some time to coach you guys, I felt like many of you responded well to our little tweaks. The JV match actually came down to the freshman, when they were on the court we had to have one of them win in order to seal our 9th JV win. So what happened? Of course, 2 of the 3 won! It was encouraging to see us getting better and playing this well against a solid opponent.

What we need, all the way through the team now, is consistency. Tonight's match felt remarkably similar to Triton on Saturday. These have been matches where we've come out focused on how we want to play. That has to continue to be our trademark throughout the rest of this season. And then truly, we'll get even better if along with that consistent mindset we become more consistent in our play. Errors are still what makes us lose points. The more we are able to smaggressively keep the ball in play, the more we'll play exactly like we want to.

Dear Ryan,
You're really understanding what it means to play under pressure. It was a beautiful thing tonight to watch you in the close out game on your serve. Up 5-3, you relaxed. No double faults. Two big net winners, including one of the craziest points of the night that you ended with a scissor kick overhead. But even more impressive I think was match point. Up 40-30, you decided to serve and volley. When the return came back at about shoulder height, you popped a volley down the line, straight at their onrushing player for a quick winner to end any suspense. That ease led to beautiful play tonight, and a wonderful end to your match.

Dear Northridge,
Thank you for your incredible competiveness. I know that you were without your normal #1 singles player tonight. That makes a huge difference in the match. Many of you played positions that you normally had not. However, you competed and did yourselves proud. You are also a team with few seniors, so a team that we won't necessarily be looking forward to facing in the coming years.

Dear Jacob,
I was so proud of you last night. I think you have to understand how excellent the end of your match was, and why it is so encouraging moving forward. At the beginning of the year, we talked about the Triangle that it takes to win a match - Mental game, strategy, and technique. When I got down to your court you were down 1-4, and by the time I had a chance to talk to you, you were down 1-6. You could have thrown in the towel mentally, but you didn't. You believed you could play better. And so you were working on the mental part of the Triangle. Then, I gave you a strategical instruction to just pretend that you were playing Five Errors. You listened and executed that strategy. And suddenly, you won 3 out of the next 4 games! You did an excellent job turning it around. And now, you have an excellent starting place for the coming matches. You have that last part of your match to recall, focusing on how you played.

Dear Bryce,
It stinks that you can't play, but you are a helpful assistant coach. Every one of your remarks last night were right on. Either things that I had also noticed too or great observations that helped within our matches. Your notes about scores and points were great also. I love having someone to help me keep an eye on things, because even though I pretend that I know everything that is going on in a match, there's often a good bit that I miss. Thanks for your help!

Dear Simon,
Last night you picked up your 6th varsity win of the season, 5 at #1D. That is awesome! Your winning percentage this year is 75%. That would put you 6th on the all time winning percentage charts! When you walk onto the court, walk out with confidence knowing that you always belong there and are just as good as any player you might see on the other side of the net. You know how I know this? Because you've put the work in. In the off-season, in the summer, after practice. Take confidence in how you've prepared and how that has turned out. You are awesome!

Dear Brandon and Lane,
Speaking of awesome... it is so much fun to watch you play together. I want to challenge you guys to something in the rest of the practice season and then into the offseason. You are already really good, I want you to become ELITE. In other words, don't aspire to be good doubles players next varsity season. Instead, aspire to play so much, play so hard, get so much better that next season you will be the best doubles team. You have the strengths and talents. Just keep getting better and better.

Dear God,
I've been reminded recently to love You with all my heart and all my soul and all my strength. That is simply my prayer for the team right now. May we love You with our hearts and our souls and our strengths. Let us think and act on these best things that You've created in us. Let us give our best back to You. Thank You for what You teach us, and let us continue to think about things that are good and true - about humility, passion, servanthood, unity and thankfulness.

Moment of Sheer Beauty
The thing that is the most beautiful to me is when my players are playing to their best abilities in exactly the way they enjoy. I saw that so many places tonight, in Jacob's comeback, in Sol's game clinching point, in Daniel and Jackson's doubles. But the place that stood out to me was Dustin Miller's victory. Dustin's strength is his forehand, and his perfect game dictating the points by using that. In his match tonight, we found that he could break down his opponent by moving him around and then using his forehand to get to his opponent's backhand. We needed Dustin to win his match to seal the JV win and he kept using his perfect strategy, playing how he wanted to play, and winning point after point. At deuce in his final game, he dipped his forehand low over the net to his opponent's backhand which got clipped weakly into the net. He set up a pressure filled match point by aggressively playing his way. It was beautiful. Under the pressure, his opponent unfortunately double faulted. But Dustin had set up that pressure with his earlier play. Way to go!

Moment of Savage Beauty
Many will be nominated, but only one person ever seems to win. Ryan Duckworth, your point today to put #2Ds up 30-0 in your final game (the scissor overhead) was cool. But the point earlier in the match where you ran a volley down behind Landon and put up a lob then chased down the subsequent overhead in the forehand corner of the court, then approached with a ball at your opponent and then finished with an overhead through him... well, that's the definition of playing awesome! That was the perfect picture of move your feet (chasing down everything), relaxing (you still went for the power shot), and having fun. Way to live out your focal point!

SCORES

Varsity
#1S - Jesse Amstutz - 6-3, 6-0 - Simon Grevengoed (9)
#2S - Byeong Min Lim - 6-2, 6-0 - Sam Hoover (12)
#3S - Sol Brenneman - 6-2, 6-1 - Luke Wogoman (10)
#1D - Hans Miller/Simon Hurst - 6-2, 6-3 - Austen Schmidt (11)/Ted Field (12)
#2D - Ryan Duckworth/Landon Weldy - 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 - James Dugle (10)/Aadarsh Patel (11)

Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Ethan Lapp - 8-4 - Logan Corns (9)
#2SJV - Jacob Gonsalves - 4-8 - Alex Gingerich (9)
#3SJV - Dustin Miller - 8-3 - Aman Patel (10)
#4SJV - Joel Yoder - 0-6 - Logan Corns (9)
#1DJV - Lane Miller/Brandon Nguyen - 8-3 - Austin Melvin (11)/Jate Cross (11)
#2DJV - Jackson King/Daniel Robles - 8-3 - Eric Firstenburger (9)/Isaiah Zuercher (9)
#3DJV - Jonathan Yousey/Lucas Brownsberger-Keyes - 6-3 - Eric Firstenburger (9)/Isaiah Zuercher (9)