Senior Video

A photo tribute to this year's seniors!

Letters from Sectional, Round 2

BETHANY CHRISTIAN BRUINS - 2014 GOSHEN SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS

Dear Team,
Thank you! That was an unbelievable morning and afternoon of tennis. And I've been so honored to coach you this season. Can't wait for it to continue Monday night. I want to tell you that it took incredible courage, nerves, and belief to do what you did this morning. To turn a 5-0 loss into a win is something most teams never get to say that they've done. It will make this year unforgettable for you.

And above all, the way that you made the brotherhood proud, supporting one another. The first question the newspaper reporter asked me was how we had such a great team spirit. It's always because you've bought into loving one another.

Great job, congratulations! Now, one by one . . .

Dear Hans and Simon,
Boy, did you guys ever set the tone for the match! Down 2-5 in your first set, Seth had the simple observation that it looked like you were thinking too much and not just playing. And so you went and just played aggressive and awesome from there on out. Winning 5 games in a row to capture the first set! Awesome. Epic (to use Simon's words).

And I hadn't told everyone this before this morning, but with the win, Hans Miller now has the most wins for any varsity player in Bethany Christian history (52)! What a way to do it. And smiling the whole time! So proud!

Dear Byeong,
Way to gather yourself under pressure. Against an opponent that you'd lost easily to last time, you came out playing some of your best tennis of the season. I was happy to see you hitting your shots and moving your feet. Then you got a little tentative in the second set and couldn't break serve. When you switched at 4-3, I told you to simply relax and play the way that you wanted to play. You turned the tables quickly and found yourself with a 5-4 lead, serving for the set. You held your nerve incredibly, playing one good point after another. I loved watching your composure and belief as you battled through your match to give us the 2-0 lead.

Dear Jesse,
Of everyone, I might be most proud of how you played today. You came out strong, winning the first set. You were attacking, consistent and just going for it. I loved it. In the second, Hudson began to make less errors and find more spots to be aggressive. In the third set, it looked like you were down and out, losing 5-2 and not being able to find any answers. But you were able to play aggressively, win three straight games and stave off the end of the match. You pushed it to a tiebreaker, where I thought you played very well. In the end, you came up just short of providing our clinching point, but the way you played that match (both mentally and physically) showed just how much you've grown from the first Goshen match. Great match!

Dear Ryan and Ethan,
So, we were up 2-1 when you took the courts and you knew we might need you to win. And you played ridiculously tentatively in the first set. But in the second set, down 3-0, you figured out that you just needed to have fun. To turn it around. I remember my exact words when you crossed over at 3-0, "You're going to be mad at yourselves if you don't just play for fun." I didn't know how you'd respond but I thought that it was true. You responded with excellent play. Ethan, you crushed your groundstrokes and put the pressure on them. Ryan, you volleyed amazingly well and also put them in many difficult positions. Awesome! I'm sorry you didn't get to play a full third set and dropped the super tiebreaker. I think you'd have had a good chance, but you can blame that on . . .

Dear Sol,
Incredible. Early in the season you lost three straight three set matches, and in every one of those you had held a lead. It was simply because you didn't stay aggressive. So throughout the rest of the season, you've honed your game to stay aggressive under pressure and get ready to play today's opponent for the Sectional title. And today, your preparation paid off. You came out and played brilliantly, from your serves to your attacks to your finishing overheads. Again, it was so much fun to watch. I had tears in my eyes as you finished out the Sectional title for us, knowing that you've put in a lot of mental work to get yourself there. Way to go! I was privileged to watch it.

Dear Parents and Fans,
You have no idea how encouraging you were. Playing at a venue like the racquet club where you cannot hear the fans on your big shots is kind of crazy. But looking out and seeing our cheering block with hands in the air, waving in silent applause was unbelievable. I'm sure you helped keep everyone light and ready before they played their matches too. I appreciate all of you, from the JV guys who came along to each parent and grandparent so much! Thanks!

Dear God,
Thanks. Not necessarily for the Sectional title, but for continuing to develop and grow us as people. We've come a long way as men since the beginning of the season. That is the Holy Spirit's work in us and nothing else. I thank You that we are secure in Your love. No matter what happens, we are Your sons. Because of that, we sing Your praises. Nothing on the court, in fact nothing at all, compares to the peace and the affirmation we can have when we receive Your love. Thank You.

Moments of Sheer and Savage Beauty
Of course, it was the moment that we clinched the Sectional Title! While all the matches had their beautiful moments, this match ended on Sol's service game when he ripped a topspun forehand high into his opponent's backhand corner. The ball bounded just in front of the line and left the Redskin player stretching for the ball to his backhand. He didn't get enough on the attempted shot and it fell just in front of the net, in front of Sol's hands that were pumping in victory. I clapped and smiled and felt so grateful for the way that we had played. I turned to the crowd outside the window and pumped my fists as they waved their hands in silent applause. Truly a great moment!

SCORES

#1S - Jesse Amstutz - 6-3, 2-6, 6-7 (4) - Hudson Kay (11)
#2S - Byeong Min Lim - 6-1, 6-4 - Evan Beck (11)
#3S - Sol Brenneman - 6-3, 6-2 - Luke Rush (11)
#1D - Hans Miller/Simon Hurst - 7-5, 6-3 - Logan Troyer (10)/Zach Troyer (12)
#2D - Ryan Duckworth/Ethan Lapp - 1-6, 6-4, (5-10) - Peter Vukovich (12)/Zach Ganger (12)

Letters from Elkhart Central

Background,
I realize that most days I've just been writing letters and not really describing what happened in the match. This was a really good story that I want to tell a little bit.

Elkhart Central came into this evening as the 5th ranked team in District 2. District 2 covers the northeast corner of the state, from south of Fort Wayne to all of the Elkhart county schools. So, that's a fancy way of saying they are a very good team. Going into the match, I knew that we had a good opportunity.

The matches started out very tense. Every position was close except for Sol's #3S match (that would change :-). We held slight leads at #2S and #1D and were down slightly at #2D and #1S. All of sudden, Byeong broke through and took a 3-2 lead into a 5-2 lead at #2S. His strokes and especially his accuracy began to break his opponent, who became more and more frustrated as the match progressed. Byeong took the first set and Elkhart's #2 could never really mount a challenge in the 2nd set.

The same pattern then followed at #1D. Holding a 4-3 lead we turned 2 games in a row to take the set. All of a sudden the floodgates opened and Hans and Simon were putting away volleys and gaining lots of points off errors. In the second set, the Blazers could not really fight back and we actually won the second set 6-0. So the Bruins had two points and needed only one more.

Except that the other positions had gone the other way. Jesse had lost the first set and now found himself down 1-4 in the second. Ryan and Ethan had lost a very tight first set 4-6, but now were down 1-5 in the second. Sol had won the first easily but now was down 2-5 in the second. These final matches made me very proud however.

Jesse turned off the voices in his head and played confident tennis. He turned his 1-4 deficit into a tight second set, getting to 4-5. At 4-5 he had some openings to get the match back to 5-5, but couldn't convert. Central finished it at 6-4 in the second set, but Jesse fought back and didn't give up. And speaking of not giving up, #2D found their game before it was too late. They came back from 1-5 between great net and baseline play, behind confident play, and tied the match at 5-5. Despite their comeback, the Blazers regrouped and won the set. Still, I can't say how proud it made me to watch #2D not throw in the towel, but instead return to how they wanted to play.

Speaking of playing how he wanted to, Sol had gut check time. He entered a third set with the knowledge that it all came down to him. And went down 2-0 to a free swinging competitor in Curtis Hill (who also played a great match under pressure). Despite this, Sol just played every point. Focusing on how he was playing, he got 3 games in a row to take the 3-2 lead. It went back and forth on serve until Sol led 5-4. With great aggression, he built himself an advantage. Twice Curtis Hill denied Sol's match points but Sol stayed aggressive in the deuces and never let Hill get an advantage. In the end, Hill unfortunately double-faulted for Sol to win the match.

It was a fun varsity match. It was intense. It had nerves. I was proud of how we pushed through! Now onto the letters...

Dear Team,
That was the best victory of the season. We played aggressive, we played well, we kept our nerve under pressure, we fought back when we were down, and we even learned and grew in the middle of our matches. I was really proud of the attitude that I saw from the whole team.

I was talking to several of the parents during Sol's final match, who were saying how intense this was, coming down to the last match on the courts. What I told them was that win or lose, 5 years from now Sol will look back at this match and remember how awesome it was. Especially if he plays how he wants to play. These are the types of matches that we play for, because they are so much fun.

And so I was feeling very conflicted at the end of Sol's match. I was very intense, because I'm a competitor and want to win. But underneath that I was very relaxed. I had already gotten out of the night what I wanted to see from it - our good attitude, our fight, and growth. It was fun, it enabled me to smile and stand back and take in the beauty of that last match. All of you guys there watching, all of their team watching, two #3S players pounding the ball back and forth(!).  It was such a high quality match. And I was actually happy.

The funny thing is that for as well as tonight went, for as much as we grew and learned and performed under the pressure - we still didn't play our best. Up and down the line from JV to varsity, there were things to improve. And yet we fought through, didn't get down, relaxed and dealt with the point in front of us.

Good job team. What a fun match that was!

Dear Sol,
It's funny the way that God helps us grow. On Tuesday, at Blackhawk, I'm sure that you didn't want to play a tight second set. I'm sure you didn't want to get tied up at 5-5. But then you relaxed, pulled through, hit aggressive and won 8 points in a row.

How well that served you tonight. In the third set, you played the way you want to play. You looked pumped up, but at the same time you looked relaxed and focused on just the next point. As a result, you played some of the best tennis I've ever seen at #3 singles. Well stroked, well attacked, well executed. Remember this feeling. It was epic!

Dear Curtis Hill,
All that I just said about Sol, I could say about you. You were an awesome competitor, you kept your cool, and you played with aggression under pressure. You are the type of player I admire. I loved that you had so much positive self-talk going on in between points. You kept your composure and you attacked every point. I loved it. Thanks for an awesome match.

Dear Jesse, Ryan, and Ethan,
In matches against good teams, it's easy to get discouraged when things don't go our way. In your matches tonight, you all experienced things not going your way. But then you breathed deeply, cleared your thoughts, and came back. So often, the scores of close matches will read like this: 6-4, 6-0 or 7-6, 6-1. That's because when the first set and first games of the second are lost, the losing player becomes despondent and gives in. I was so proud of you for fighting your frustration, letting go of your fear, and getting back to your best tennis. Great job.

Dear Jacob,
Before your match, I told you that you were going to win. I confess, I knew nothing about your opponent. I had no idea if he'd be awesome or awful. Turned out he was pretty good. But what I do know is you, and you are awesome. Never forget that you are a great player. Let that motivate your play.

Dear Lane and Brandon,
These things happen. You won your first and then lost the second to a weaker team. Learn from Sol, Ryan, Jesse, Ethan and more tonight. When you get tight, remember what it feels like to play your best. Take a deep breath, then go play the next point. And the next point only. Then do it all over again. I love watching you play your best. Go to your next match and find your joy in your next point.

Dear God,
You are a God of wonder. And I realized this night that I need to stare into that even more. The sunset tonight was a gorgeous orange over the cornfields that are in the midst of harvest right now. That was wonderful. The apples are bright and green and red and ready to be snapped into, which was wonderful, driving past the orchards tonight. Your patience, love, and encouragements are seeping into the hearts of this team right now. Continue to let us know who we are, and where our joy comes from. We are Yours, marked and sealed in Your Holy Spirit, unconditional sons of the Father of wonder. Thank you.

Moment of Sheer Beauty
Picking out a moment that made me smile, so I'll have to go with an ace from Hans. We don't have too many aces on our team. Despite being a good team, we don't have too many big serves. We have people who can force errors with their serves, but we haven't racked up very many clean aces.

In the #1D match, the first set was a close affair going back and forth a little bit. Hans and Simon broke serve to take a 5-3 lead and Hans began to serve for the set. The other team was trying to pump themselves up with some "Let's go's!" They won a point on the ad side and got real excited. Hans smiled, walked over to the deuce side, and fired an ace out wide past his opponent. That one good shot sung momentum back to the Bruin #1D. They closed out the set and then the match. One good shot is often all it takes.

Moment of Savage Beauty
Undeniably, this point has to come from Sol's match. And there were a lot of good ones. So I'll pick my favorite. On a game point at 3-3, Sol approached the net with a ball to his opponent's backhand. His passing shot popped up toward Sol close to the net and Sol pounded an overhead down into the court for the winner. It had such savage pace on it that it bounced up over the fence, then over the barrier fence behind the court and over the railroad track that ran behind the court. In every tense moment, Sol just kept playing aggressive and right through. Well done!

SCORES

Varsity
#1S - Jesse Amstutz - 1-6, 4-6 - Eric Burton (12)
#2S - Byeong Min Lim - 6-3, 6-1 - Andrew Salmon (10)
#3S - Sol Brenneman - 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 - Curtis Hill (11)
#1D - Hans Miller/Simon Hurst - 6-3, 6-0 - Scott Hanberg (12)/Will Riblet (12)
#2D - Ryan Duckworth/Ethan Lapp - 4-6, 5-7 - Adam DeShone (11)/Christian Lankford (11)

Junior Varisty
#1SJV - Jacob Gonsalves - 8-4 - Matt Stutzman (11)
#2SJV - Jackson King - 2-8 - Ben Weaver (12)
#3SJV - Joel Yoder - 1-8 - Riley Norris (11)
#4SJV - Jacob Gonsalves - 6-2 - Josh Santos (11)
#5SJV - Jackson King - 6-4 - Keith Hartzler (10)
#6SJV - Joel Yoder - 2-6 - Michael Wyse (9)
#1DJV - Lane Miller/Brandon Nguyen - 8-4 - Alex Boyer (11)/Ben Oakley (11)
#2DJV - Dustin Miller/Lucas Brownsberger-Keyes - 3-8 - Langston Johnson (11)/Gabe Lindholm (11)
#3DJV - Daniel Robles/Jonathan Yousey - 8-3
#4DJV - Lane Miller/Brandon Nguyen - 3-6 - Jacob Stout (10)/Adam Moom (9)
#5DJV - Dustin Miller/Lucas Brownsberger-Keyes - 6-0 - Jared Reid (9)/Bryce Daub (9)
#6DJV - Daniel Robles/Jonathan Yousey - 6-3 - Manny Sanchez (11)/???

Letters from Mishawaka Marian

Dear Team,
Let's call it a winning night, okay? We were leading at all positions when the rain struck. Then we went on to have a blast eating hamburgers and brats, downing cake and homemade ice cream. That sounds like a winning night.

As far as our play went, you are continuing to impress me. Byeong was a mere six points from victory after playing only 21 minutes. The rest of us had put our 21 minutes to good use too, as we were leading by a set at 4 of the 5 positions (and Jesse was up big, but not finished, with his 1st set). This wouldn't have happened at the beginning of the season. We are learning to take care of our mental preparation and go out and play the way we want to play.

That sounds like winning also. So we'll call it a winning night.

Dear Seniors,
You are an outstanding group of young men. In choosing my words about you, I was inspired by the fruits of the Holy Spirit that I see so strongly in your lives. You are men of patience, goodness, faithfulness, peace and joy (and more - those were just the ones I identified). And I say this with all sincerity despite it's sappiness... I love you all. Thanks for diving in to this group of guys, and giving it your all. Can't wait to finish this season out in joy with you!

Dear Parents,
I was overwhelmed by your help last night. Decorating the courts, hanging banners, dumping straw down for my coaching area, putting up new scorecards, cooking dinner, preparing senior gifts... I was so surprised and humbled that I don't think I probably said enough to thank you. Many of your kind words were also appreciated. You do much more than is necessary, but you help make the tennis team excellent with that extra work. We couldn't be who we are without all of you.




Dear God,
In the difficulties of rain outs and rushing around to make things work, it's easy to get hassled and harried and upset. And then aim that frustration at You. Thank You for reminding us that You are actually our place of rest. Last night, the tennis got canceled but the more important thing went on: Our celebration of how You are forming us into Your character. You are at work in the lives of this team, help us to see it and to follow You. Amen.

Moment of Sheer Beauty
Only 5 matches got onto the courts last night, so less choices would seemingly make it easy on me. However, we were playing so well last night that I didn't get to see a lot of long points, the ones that often stick in my mind. But for a beautiful player, we need to look no further than Byeong Min Lim. His serves last night we things of beauty, curving down suddenly into the box and slicing into the body of his opponent. Time after time Byeong won quick service games as his serves forced early errors or short balls that he came and finished. It nice to see him play so smoothly, though I wish he could have finished the last six points!

Moment of Savage Beauty
Ethan Lapp has been playing great. I just don't know that we'd always call it savage. This is the part of his game that will continue to grow as he gets more matches at varsity singles. But tonight, I began to see him end points emphatically more often. In the first game of the match, with Ryan serving, the Bruins saw the score go to deuce several times. We looked a little tight, starting the match, and I didn't want to see this game go the wrong way. After an error from the Knights, we had the advantage and Ethan got a backhand overhead in the next point. Swinging with authority, he slapped the backhand between the Knight players and into the hitting wall to seal the close game for the Bruins. There was never really another close game after that.

SCORES

Varsity
#1S - Jesse Amstutz - 4-2 - David Hicks (12)
#2S - Byeong Min Lim - 6-1, 4-0 - Sam Cressey (12)
#3S - Sol Brenneman - 6-1, 1-0 - Max White (10)
#1D - Hans Miller/Simon Hurst - 6-0, 1-0 - Zac Ericson (12)/Cameron Rafinski (9)
#2D - Ryan Duckworth/Ethan Lapp - 6-0, 1-0 - Domonik Rafinski (9)/Evan Kovatch (10)

Senior Statement #1: Ryan Duckworth

Ryan has had an interesting path through our tennis program. Freshman year he had to fight to get matches on our large team, and he played only 9 between #2D and #3D on the JV. Sophomore year, he began a push to be higher on the team, even challenge the varsity when he hurt his ankle before the season even began. Last year he started as a JV player, and lost 2 of his first 3 matches, before winning 14 straight. He’s been through many times when things weren’t going well.

But one of the traits that defines Ryan is his patience, and eventually perseverance. When he injured himself, he served as a manager, patiently learning and watching. Last season, he patiently developed killer doubles strategies on the JV level, waiting to unleash them this season. This season started slowly as well, with 2 losses, but he didn’t panic and stayed patient and is again building a great season. Maybe it is character he develops during his fishing trips, waiting and learning to enjoy each moment. But I’ll say that it is a gift that God has given him.

It has been a pleasure to watch him grow as a player and person at Bethany. I’ve seen his patience as a peer assistant to KP in gym classes as well, working with difficult students to follow the rules and play the games fairly. It will be a pleasure to watch him grow as a student and player in his other 2 sports. And yet I’m most excited about watching the person that he becomes for God. Ryan, may you use your patience and perseverance as you work to love difficult people and wait to hear the guidance of God’s Spirit.

Isaiah 40

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Letters from NorthWood

Dear Team,
It was really fulfilling tonight to have fun. I mean, the whole match was fun. Going into this match I wasn't sure what to expect. We've played good tennis this week but against teams that were a bit down this season. And the one spot where we'd had a little letdown was a position I figured we needed to win against NorthWood. But in the cool crisp night, senior night for the Panthers, it was clear early that we had all come to play with joy.

I knew it from the first point that I saw. Coming out of the bathroom, I jogged up to the courts to see Jesse already at the net, finishing an overhead. On Tuesday, he had been tentative in coming to net. In the match against the Panthers, he was given many opportunities to come forward and took advantage of them. His loose play looked excellent, and I was impressed at how he never had a let up.

At #2S, Byeong started out by losing the first game. It was clear that Byeong had better strokes, but that doesn't always win matches. After a brief reminder to move into the court with penetrating footwork, he rebounded from the first dropped game to win 12 straight. He actually was the first match off the courts, finishing before any JV match had even ended. Jesse followed him less than 10 minutes later.

And then Sol came off the courts as a winner too. Like Byeong, he forgot for awhile that he needed to use penetrating footwork, getting forward into the court and then into the net. But when he found his game late in the first set, well, let's just say he's winning an award today.

So team, here's what was fun about the singles: You looked like you were having fun. And though I call you all my brothers, when I'm watching you have fun like this I feel like a proud parent. Even though Sol's first set was close, I felt like with the joy he was taking in his good shots, he'd be able to pull it out. When you are having fun, it is beautiful.

And the doubles? And the JV? Well, they were fun too. But they get their own letters today!

Dear JV Team,
I was fairly sure you were going to avenge your one JV loss of the season today. But I didn't have any idea that you would come back and win in such dominate form. The first time we played NorthWood, we lost 3-2. We played that match without Ethan Lapp, who has been rotating between the top of JV and the #2D team on varsity. With him playing tonight, I figured you'd get that match and turn it around to win 3-2 at the top positions.

But then Ethan had to play varsity tonight with Landon's injury. And I was still confident that we'd win the JV match - because they had so many players I figured we'd win most of our second matches. Yes, I thought we might still lose the top matches 3-2, but we'd win the majority of the lower ones.

And then you came out and played with joy and purpose. Everyone took early leads and when the dust settled, we'd won those top positions 4-1, playing against the same players with the same basic lineup. I was really proud of everyone who played tonight. By the end of those second matches, we'd piled up a 10-2 win. It was impressive, and another step along the road to building a great-not-good varsity in the coming years. For now, you are experiencing the joy of building that on the JV, now having a record of 11-1-1.

Dear Hans, Simon, Ryan and Ethan,
That was awesome, no?

One team won and one team lost, but it was such good, fun, intense, aggressive, and beautiful tennis to watch. Even on the points that we lost, I found myself applauding and smiling. They came to the net, they served and volleyed, they hit big overheads. . . and then we did too. The #1D second set going into the tiebreak was the best set of doubles tennis I've seen this year, with both teams playing amazing. The #2D whole match was a back and forth competition with rises and falls of aggression and emotion, culminating in Ryan's scream of "Let's go!" when saving a break point in the final game before finishing off two more points to seal the match.

Build from this. Play simple but play big! These matches are the ones to frame in your head and remember how much fun it was to play the way you wanted to against good opponents. Congrats to you guys for playing so well, and thanks to NorthWood for playing the same way to make it so much fun.

Dear Jackson,
I was inspired by your determination tonight. The first time I got down to watch your match was in a game where you were down love-40. Your opponent hit a ball that ticked the top of the net and it looked like you'd lost the game, but you scraped the ground to pop the ball over the net and he hit the short ball out. You then proceeded to come all the way back and win that game.

That point was a perfect picture of you tonight. You had a goal, to beat the guy who had beaten you at the Jimtown Invite. But instead of obsessing about the end goal, you put the work in on every single point. You focused on just what was right in front of you. And in doing so, you succeeded.

Dear Jacob,
Great match today. I thought that you did what we talked about beautifully to open the match. Your "Five Errors" type of shots are devastating, and I think you could even challenge Lucas's amazing 105 shots in that drill with the consistency you are developing. I know that you want to win, but remember that's never the point. The point is: "On this point, I want to play the way that I want to." And I thought that you did that excellently tonight. In fact, several people tonight told me that they noticed you were playing some awesome points tonight. Great job!

Dear Rest of the Team,
I'm writing this on Saturday afternoon, and my kids are all starting to wake up from naps. I have so much more that I want to say to you. I loved the way that Jonathan Yousey volleyed and finished points at the net today. I loved how the varsity and JV guys gathered on the bleachers (maybe for warmth) and cheered on the last two matches that were left. I loved how Lucas and Dustin controlled their doubles match, playing at a higher position than they previously have. I loved Joel Yoder's unexpected volleys. I loved Daniel's hustle and willingness to go right back on after a long singles match. I loved Lane and Brandon's continued rise as a doubles team. I loved Landon's enthusiasm as a new coach, and Bryce's continued work as my devoted "Sheer and Savage Point Watcher." It was fun! I am incredibly thankful for all of you.

Dear God,
Thank you. You are good. You are loving. You are kind. You are our protector. And none of that has anything to do with tennis. Your essence is to build the best in us. I confess, we don't always align ourselves with that vision. We often have other ideas of what we want. But I'm very thankful for times where we are able to display your character, because when we live the ways of Your kingdom, it is very beautiful. Please, continue to help us grow. We've talked about getting better at tennis, building toward our best. God, grow our character as well. In Jesus we pray, amen.

Moment of Sheer Beauty
I've thought this or said this many times throughout the year, but when Sol is truly on his game, it's about the most exciting singles you can watch. Sol's athleticism, speed, and shotmaking ability is almost unmatched (almost, because Byeong can whip a forehand from his shoelaces sometimes). Tonight Sol was in rare form. In fact, Bryce was making a list of the contenders for this award, and 4 of the 7 points he listed were from Sol's match. Under pressure tonight, Sol came up with the most beautiful points. At the end of the first set and then to seal the match, Sol played similar points. He approached to his opponent's forehand. The passing shot went back up the line, and Sol met it with a spinning backhand volley. The volley was at such a sharp angle, there was no point in even running for it. In the first set it gave Sol a set point, in the second it won him the match.

Moment of Savage Beauty
Since we've really been trying to think about building the process and not just focusing on the result, how about I give this award to a character trait that was displayed today and not just a single point? Jackson displayed incredible determination today. And determination is one of those qualities that has a little bit of savageness to it. When that savageness is focused toward each point, toward the way that we want to play, it becomes a very difficult thing to stop. I loved watching and hearing this from Jackson, and it's the type of thing I can't wait to see from many of the rest of you as well. This type of focus is something the varsity can use headed into Sectional. It is filled with confidence (I can beat my opponent), effort (I will get to that ball), and focus (I will play my way with joy on this point).

SCORES

Varsity
#1S - Jesse Amstutz - 6-1, 6-1 - Jared Hoffman (9)
#2S - Byeong Min Lim - 6-1, 6-0 - Ryan Menzie (12)
#3S - Sol Brenneman - 6-4, 6-2 - Evan Nix (12)
#1D - Hans Miller/Simon Hurst - 4-6, 6-7 (6) - Quinn Stillson (12)/Caleb Yoder (12)
#2D - Ryan Duckworth/Ethan Lapp - 6-4, 7-5 - Nick Myers/Devyn Maugel

Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Jacob Gonsalves - 5-8 - Cooper Clark (12)
#2SJV - Jackson King - 9-7 - Court Clark (10)
#3SJV - Daniel Robles - 8-4 - Nate Nunemaker (11)
#4SJV - Jackson King - 8-3 - Cameron Stillson (10)
#5SJV - Dustin Miller - 8-3 - Chandler Gillam (10)
#6SJV - Jacob Gonsalves - 6-1 - Zach Snider (11)
#1DJV - Lane Miller/Brandon Nguyen - 8-6 - Brock Beehler (11)/Spencer Abel (12)
#2DJV - Dustin Miller/Lucas Brownsberger-Keyes - 8-5 - Sean Linhart (12)/Jarrett Skaggs (11)
#3DJV - Jonathan Yousey/Joel Yoder - 7-9 - Breyden Stankovich (10)/Brant Mast (9)
#4DJV - Lane Miller/Brandon Nguyen - 8-0 - Trevor Klotz (9)/Matt Checkley (10)
#5DJV - Jonathan Yousey/Lucas Brownsberger-Keyes - 6-0 - Drew Flickinger (9)/Jacob Mestach (9)
#6DJV - Daniel Robles/Joel Yoder - 6-1 - Nick Sherk (10)/Brennan Yoder (9)

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)

Letters from Concord

Dear Varsity Team,
Today was a historic day for our varsity program. We played Concord at home for the first time ever, and we defeated them for only the second time only. Concord was a young team, only one senior and a freshman playing #1S, but a talented team. They gave us a challenge with their energy and aggression early in the matches. Several of their players swung freely and hit unbelievable shots, passing us down the alley and rocketing some approach shots.

But we didn't worry about it. Today we just played the next point. Time and time again we played simply and smartly and well. I so appreciated our team attitude today. It was calm and confident. I appreciated your play also. The way Sol took care to keep the ball in and hit good approaches before finishing. The way that Byeong played loose and took the ball confidently on each point. The way Hans and Simon putaway volleys right through the middle. Ryan and Ethan had great hands and smart, consistent play. And Jesse, despite falling in three sets, had great shots throughout the match, especially approaches and short balls.

Great job today! Way to finish off matches and stay confident. It feels good to get our first win of the season, doesn't it?

Dear Junior Varsity Team,
You also played a great match today. I was especially impressed with how you responded from being severely challenged on Thursday and moved forward to this match. Today you were the ones who played with confidence and aggression. Daniel, I loved watching you fly around the court to run down every ball, and your forehand is truly nearing a varsity quality shot. Jackson, your forehand is there, and you used it to control your match. Doubles players, the power and movement that you played with made you difficult to handle. Dustin, way to keep your head and battle it out even when you were struggling with some of your shots. And Joel, you kept playing and swinging and going for it. I enjoyed watching it all. The more you play like this the better you'll get and the more ready for the harder challenges.

Dear Byeong Min,
You played amazing today! Way to just play every point. Now on to the next match, which is where your next point is...

Dear Lucas and Jonathan,
You finished your first match today. And I have to say, you got a little bit of everything. A good start, a tight match, bad line calls, changing tactics within the match. And you both played to your strengths tonight, which is so important. Lucas, you hit to the corners well and kept the groundstrokes in. Jonathan, you dominated the net, especially after you started hitting the angles. Most likely, these strengths will stay with you the whole time you're playing tennis (and they'll get more and more dominant). Enjoy them, they are your tennis gifts! And I might also add that I loved the point at the end of the match where you had a line call go against you, and instead of getting mad, you simply stayed calm and won the final two games to win your match!

Dear Humidity,
Ummm . . . go away please. I don't like sweating just because I'm standing outside.

Dear Tennis Ball Can,
I know now why Scott Hottell, my old tennis coach (and current coach) at Angola, uses you all the time as a water bottle. With all the stuff I have to get around for a tennis match, carrying a water bottle for myself is not something I remember. And then I spend the whole match jogging back and forth and getting super thirsty but with nothing to drink from. Today, I stayed nicely hydrated in the aforementioned humidity.

Dear God,
May we rejoice in You! After a win it is so easy to get wrapped up in the good feelings that come from winning. But that's not the important thing, You are.

Moment of Sheer Beauty
Byeong Min has the most beautiful of practice strokes. Last year we used to joke about him being a drill all-star. If we did a passing shot drill that would have a champion, every time it would be Byeong. This year, he's continued to have great practices, but sometimes it hasn't worked over into his matches. Today, he had a moment of sheer beauty. When our practice perfect matches up with our match perfect, that is a joyful thing. After a long rally with his junior opponent Mitch Boyer, Byeong was forced wide to his forehand side. Running out into the doubles alley, Byeong whipped his forehand down the line before Boyer even had a chance to split step. It was amazing!

Moment of Savage Beauty
This was the hardest category today for sure. There was a lot of solid solid, aggressive play today. Most of the #1D match was aggressively played. Then there was Lane Miller's smacking of a high forehand volley into the chest of his opponent who hadn't backed off the net. There were Byeong's winners and Sol's aces (2 in a row at one point!) All through the JV there were nominees, like Jonathan's overheads and Lucas and Bryce's forehands. But today, the award goes to Ryan Duckworth for a big play under pressure.

Tied at 1-1 in the second set, with Ryan serving, #2D went into a long game. Into deuce several times. Several times the Minutemen doubles team had a chance to take a 2-1 lead and put some second set pressure on the Bruins. Ryan and Ethan saved several break points, then took an advantage for the first time. With the Ad-In, Ryan let loose his only big serve of the match, pounding it into the backhand corner of the Ad box. The Minutemen player could barely get his racket on the ball, and Ryan and Ethan had established their lead in the match. They never lost another game.

SCORES

Varsity
#1S - Jesse Amstutz - 6-1, 4-6, 2-6 - Will Boyer (9)
#2S - Byeong Min Lim - 6-0, 6-1 - Mitch Boyer (11)
#3S - Sol Brenneman - 6-0, 6-0 - Alex Dias (10)
#1D - Hans Miller/Simon Hurst - 6-3, 6-1 - Aaron Allen (12)/Riley Huffer (11)
#2D - Ryan Duckworth/Ethan Lapp - 6-0, 6-1 - Braden Fish (11)/Nathan Hermon (10)

Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Jackson King - 8-3 - Spenser Jaenichen (12)
#2SJV - Daniel Robles - 8-2 - Jake Lovette (10)
#3SJV - Dustin Miller - 8-5 - Jacob Shetterly (9)
#4SJV - Joel Yoder - 0-8 - Gideon Butler (10)
#1DJV - Landon Weldy/Brandon Nguyen - 8-3 - Tate Nicoson (10)/Brandon Pletcher (10)
#2DJV - Bryce Miller/Lane Miller - 8-1 - Kell McGee (11)/Broc Johnson (9)
#3DJV - Lucas Brownsberger-Keyes/Jonathan Yousey - 8-5 - Tate Nicoson (10)/Broc Johnson (9)

Letters, August 19

Dear Landon and Ryan,
Thanks for taking the time to go out to lunch with me today. But really, thanks for talking it out honestly and understanding. It's a difficult thing to be brothers with all of you and also be your coach. It's a balance that I struggle with every year. I want to thank you for committing to work through this with the team. We will persevere. This season, and every season, is about finding our starting point and working from there. We know what we need to work on. Let's do it. Let's move forward with confidence, and play with control. Let's continue to get those mental hiccups out in honesty, and pray to move past them.

Dear Byeong,
Keep talking to me. I want to know what's going on in your head. First of all, because I care about you. Secondly, only then can we find a way forward. I'm so glad we had a chance to talk about the "Triangle" of a tennis match - the mental, strategical and technical parts that have to come together to win. But it was even better to hear of your frustration, because it means that you care too.

Dear Sherry Good,
Thanks for caring about the good of our tennis team. Thanks for being a place for them to talk. Thanks for being a mother to a young man who is living without his mother right now. I love working at Bethany because I know that no one will fall through the cracks without someone making an effort to connect.

Dear Northridge,
Sorry. We should have played. That's all. I'm sorry.

Dear God,
If I'm being honest, I'm already breaking down. I'm stressed at school, stressed with tennis, stressed about making calls whether or not to play matches - and now I'm sick. I'm giving this all to You. I'm going to try to breathe deeper and remember You are as close as my every breath. That is where joy is.

Letters, August 18

Dear Team,
Tonight is our first competition. Tonight we must compete with gratitude. If you can, be grateful for the very ability to swing a racket at a moving target. It's fun! If you can't be grateful for your specific match, then be grateful for the team, the brothers who will cheer and support you. If you need other suggestions, the weather is supposed to be beautiful, the school day will be over, and you can relax. Simply remember whatever blessings God has given you, and take the focus off of yourself. This is going to be fun!

Dear Ryan,
As a senior, you'll be making your first full step into varsity competition tonight. Congratulations! I'm grateful that you've been playing well this pre-match season. You've worked hard and come a long way. I truly appreciate many things about you. I appreciate that you are a true 3 sport athlete, which is awesome and rare these days. I appreciate you working through injury and sticking with us, doing whatever you could your sophomore year. I appreciate you pinch hitting at the Merrillville Tournament last year. I appreciate this year at the scrimmage when you got excited to play with a younger teammate on the JV. Even though you've had a goal to play varsity you didn't scorn that opportunity as beneath you. You are a wonderful man full of character and perseverance. Enjoy your match.

Dear Freshman,
First competition of the new season tonight. Don't worry too much. You'll get to watch a little bit first. Revel in that opportunity. Go and cheer. Go and watch. Go and learn. This is a fun team to be on, take as much of it in as you can. Then go out and have fun. Seth and I will help you get better as the year goes on, tonight is just about relaxing. You don't have to be as stressed as Dustin looks in this picture. I hope that you compete hard, but the most important thing is to come out smiling!


Dear God,
May we rejoice in You always! The truth is that Your nearness is more important than any tennis match. The way You've woven us together, the way You've wired us to love, the way You've given us this group of tennis brothers, the way You've invited and gifted us to share - this is where the joy is. Thank You, thank You, and thank You. Let us revel in that joy before, in and after we compete. Remove from us any fear.

Ryan Duckworth

Career Records
Most Wins in a Season: 20 (2014)
Farthest Advanced in State Tourney: Team Regional (2014)
Longest Winning Streak: 10 matches (2014)
Most Sets Won in a Row: 18 sets (2014)
Biggest Win: 4-0, 4-0 (2 times - "Golden Set" against Merrillville)
Closest Win: 6-3. 4-6, 6-3 (Northridge, 2014)
Career Tiebreakers Won: 2
Career Tiebreakers Won Percentage: 50%
Career 3rd Sets Won: 5
Season 3rd Sets Won: 3 (2014)
Career Games Won Percentage: 63.9%
Season Games Won Percentage: 66.1% (2014)
Career 3rd Sets Won Percentage: 50%
Matches Won in a Row w/ a 6-0 Set: 2 (2014)
Matches Won 1st Varsity Season: 20

2014

20-5

#2D - Jimtown - Isaac Pope (11)/ Ben Clarke (9) - 7-5, 5-7, 3-6
#2D - Goshen - Peter Vukovich (12)/Andrew Vetter (12) - 6-1, 0-6, 6-7 (5)
#2D - Concord - Braden Fish (11)/Nathan Hermon (10) - 6-0, 6-1
#2D - Fremont - Jeremy Seiler (11)/Matt Armstrong (11) - 6-1, 6-2
#2D - West Noble - Trey Waring (12)/Jacob Musselman (11) - 6-2, 7-6 (3)
#2D - Prairie Heights - Justin Sutera/Cory Hollifield - 6-1, 6-0
#2D - Triton - Ben Waggoner (12)/Spencer Glingle (12) - 4-6, 6-0, 6-2
#2D - Northridge - James Dugle (10)/Aadarsh Patel (11) - 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
#2D - Westview - Taylor Eash (12)/Austin Hostetler (9) - 6-2, 6-4
#2D - NorthWood - Devyn Maugel (12)/Nick Myers (12) - 6-4, 7-5
#2D - Mishawaka Marian - Evan Kovatch (10)/Domonik Rafinski (9) - 6-0, 1-0, ret. from rain
#2D - Blackhawk Christian - Graham Gnagy (9)/Ross Norton (11) - 6-0, 6-3
#2D - Elkhart Central - Adam DeShone (11)/Christian Lankford (11) - 4-6, 5-7
#2D - Triton - Ben Waggoner (12)/Spencer Glingle (12) - 4-0, 4-0
#2D - Merrillville - Derel Shell (12)/Alonso Brown (11) - 4-0, 4-0
#2D - Highland - Tyler Butustak/Nick Donshach - 6-2, 6-2
#2D - Fairfield - Andrew Hoover (12)/Isaac Miller (10) - 6-2, 6-1
#2D - Bremen - Chandler Snyder (10)/Ryker Hand (11) - 6-2, 6-0
#2D - Taylor - Colton Kimbler (9)/Peyton Tracy (9) - 6-1, 6-1
#2D - Wabash - Adam Driscoll (11)/Aidan Benysh (9) - 6-0, 6-1
#2D - Eastern - Sam Rocchio/Manny Moreno - 6-1, 6-1
#2D - Jimtown - Hunter Price (11)/Isaac Pope (11) - 6-1, 6-4
#2D - Goshen - Peter Vukovich (12)/Zach Ganger (12) - 1-6, 6-4, (5-10)
#2D - East Noble - Aaron Beard/Cory Wagner - 5-7, 6-3, 6-1
2013 JV - 13-2 ; V - 2-2 = 15-4

#1DJV - Jimtown - Jesse Oakley (11)/Matt DeCloert (9) - 8-4
#1DJV - Northridge - Aaron Gingerich (10)/Austin Melvin (10) - 0-8
#1DJV - Goshen - Hugh Birky (9)/Evan Beck (10) - 3-8
#1DJV - Concord - Jake Diver (9)/Spenser Jaenichen (11) - 8-4
#1DJV - Columbia City - Matt Kennedy (9)/Dillon Reed (9) - 6-0
#1DJV - Fremont - Keagan Connelly (10)/Nick LaRose (9) - 6-1
#1DJV - NorthWood - Austin Sanders/Evan Nix - 8-2
#1DJV - Jimtown - Jesse Oakley/Matt DeClodt - 8-1
#1DJV - Concord - Kell McGee/Sam Daniel - 8-0
#1DJV - Triton - Ben Waggoner (11)/Mace Eads (9) - 6-3

#1DJV - Westview - 6-1

#1DJV - Marian - Michael Deranek/James Deranek - 8-0

#1DJV - Blackhawk - Ross Norton (10)/Bailey Brouwer (10) - 8-0

#2D - Lowell - Zeb Johnson (10)/Tyler Damm (12) - 5-7, 2-6
#2D - Portage - Michael Lakomek (9)/Alex Tjoris (10) - 2-6, 0-6
#2D - Wawasee - Luke Smith (12)/Tyler Hutchinson (11) - 6-4, 7-6

#1DJV - Fairfield - Aaron Miller (10)/Aaron Skibbe (9) - 6-0

#1DJV - Bremen - Noah Miller (10)/Josh Ukinski (10) - 8-3

#1D - Howe - 6-1, 6-1

2012
Injured for the 2012 season.

2011

#2DJV – Northridge – Ryan Taylor (10)/Landon Arnold (9) – 7-9

#1DJV – Columbia City - Blake Fearnow (10)/David Peterson (9) – 7-6 (1)

#2DJV – Fremont – Kraig Foley (9)/Tony LaRose (10) – 8-6

#2DJV – Jimtown – Nick Beron (10)/Brock Johnson (9) – 6-3, 6-0

#3SJV – Concord – Mitchell Lozier (10) – 2-6, 0-6

#2DJV – Triton – Austin Sellers (9)/Spencer Glingle (9) – 8-6

#2DJV – Elkhart Central - Matt Morrison (11)/Mikey Namisank (11) – 2-6

#3DJV – Fairfield – Connor Hochstetler (11)/Landyn Nunemaker (9) – 1-6

#1SJV – Howe – Griffin Toombs (9) – 8-2

JV RECORD: 5-4