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 Blackhawk Christian

Dear Team,
I was really proud of the way you played in this match. There could be a lot of excuses for not coming out focused and prepared in this game. We had a long drive, we don't know this opponent very well, there was the promise of Magic Wand on the table for after the match... and so on.

But we're doing a better job getting focused from the beginning. And I need to continue to see that grow. Really, what we're trying to do is instill a growth mindset on the season. From today to tomorrow, I need to get better. And we're really seeing that growth.

I saw that growth all over the courts tonight. #1D didn't panic when they went down 3-2 early in their match. Sol was able to finish off an opponent in a tight end of the second set. #2D didn't let their match go into 3 sets. Jacob stayed positive through a close match. Jesse regained confidence after a tough end to the first set. And more...

We still have stuff to work on. We still have things to figure out. But the joy will be in watching ourselves truly improve. Now we've just got to both believe we can (think) and set about doing it with real purpose (action). But tonight was just another night of gaining our confidence and watching ourselves grow.

Dear Mooma and Poopa,
Grandma and grandpa, thanks for coming out to my match. Grandpa, I still believe it is partly your fault that I've got this coaching mentality instilled within my personality. The games you taught me when I was younger taught me how to think like a coach, and I'm glad you both got to see me at work in this match. Also, tennis season is a furious season where I don't get to see friends and family very often. So to get to see you guys in the midst of it tonight was quite a reward. Love you!

Dear Simon,
In this match, I saw a turn in you in the middle of the first set. You went from timid to tenacious, from tentative to attacking, from lobbing to smashing. This turn is a great representation of how you should prepare in warmup to be in the very beginning of every match. In the warmups, feel that turn from tentative to attack, and let that be your mode of operation from the beginning of matches. Excellent job in this match, let's use it as we grow!

Dear Jacob,
Great job tonight in a close match. I was so proud to see you plugging away tonight with a good attitude. You kept that ball in play, you worked the match and in the end, you wore your opponent out and pulled out the win. That's just like we talked about! If you keep committed to hitting that big topspin ball in and in and in, you are going to grind down so many opponents. Congrats on a great job working the right way.

Dear Sol,
That's what it's like to close out a match. Remember how loose that felt. How aggressive. How fun. Recall this feeling when you get in another close match. 8 points in a row to close it out? Awesome.

Dear Magic Wand,
It was good to be back tonight. It's been two years since we stopped in. The ET Sundae was excellent (right Jacob?) and the clowns were still creepy. Like, so creepy that it was actually good to get going. So nice to see you, we'll be back sometime for another very quick visit. I hope I don't see your clowns in my nightmares.

Dear God,
Yes. Come. Be present and growing in us. I can feel myself, even as I write this, bearing down on the tennis part because the tournament time is growing near. Keep our eyes and hearts open to Your Spirit working within us. Because we know that this whole season is Your gift. Thanks!

Moment of Sheer Beauty
As the season goes on, it gets more and more difficult to impress me. I feel like I've seen everything. I've seen Byeong hit passing shots up the line and Sol run down drop volleys. I've seen Hans make big smashes and Ethan win cross court battles. So what made me smile tonight that I haven't seen? Well, it has to be Jacob Gonsalves' close victory at #1SJV. He's won close victories before, but I know he'd been struggling with dealing with the pressure. We talked about working his opponent with his heavy strokes and tonight he did. It was a moment of joy to see him rewarded as the winner.

Moment of Savage Beauty
Back in 2003 when I started coaching, I remember playing Concord for the first time. They mercilessly beat us down at most positions, but I remember vividly one of the #1D points. There was a half lobbed, half shanked return of serve from one of our players and the Minuteman server came forward fast to hit it in the air. He stepped up just behind the service line and let fly with a tweener overhead, not quite above his head but not quite a regular volley. The ball went million miles an hour, and slammed into the fence on the fly. They still beat us 6-0, 6-1. After the match, I told my guys I wanted them to play like that: with aggression and freedom.

When he's playing well, Simon plays with that aggressive freedom. Tonight, he got an overhead at the net to end the game, with the set tied at 3-3. He stepped forward to take a huge swing, and his opponent was intimidated enough to turn his back. But Simon framed the overhead. It went weakly toward the net player and landed fairly softly in the doubles alley. However, the Braves had no chance of getting it, because they had spun away in fear of his overhead. When we are playing with aggression and freedom, we create intimidation and maybe even frustration. We make the opponents feel under pressure, like they are going to have to play awesome to beat us. That's part of the beauty of "savage" joy or beauty, that if you play with it consistently, even our mistakes can turn out well.

SCORES

Varsity
#1S - Jesse Amstutz - 4-6, 3-6 - Jeremy Hoover (12)
#2S - Byeong Min Lim - 6-3, 6-1 - Ben Bailey (12)
#3S - Sol Brennmean - 6-2, 7-5 - Drew Hall (9)
#1D - Hans Miller/Simon Hurst - 6-3, 6-2 - Joel Vastbinder (12)/Jared Fiedler (11)
#2D - Ryan Duckworth/Ethan Lapp - 6-0, 6-2 - Graham Gnagy (9)/Ross Norton (11)

Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Jacob Gonsalves - 8-6 - Joseph Angelo (11)
#2SJV - Jackson King - 8-2 - Bailey Brouwer (11)
#3SJV - Daniel Robles - 8-2 - Anthony Sheron (9)
#1DJV - Lane Miller/Brandon Nguyen - 8-1 - Sam Mossburg (10)/Levi Mossburg (9)

Senior Statement #2: Sol Brenneman

Sol is one of my very favorite Bruin tennis players to watch play. When he’s playing at his best he has an athletic flair and epic points, won with emphatic slams are long rallies, scrambling and an eventual winner. His celebration of a point won at net, a double fist pump while spinning back toward the baseline, is also fun to watch.

With all that being said, you think that I’d say that the character trait I love best in Sol is his passion. But really, Sol has been a person of peace. He gets up and down on the court, but he’s usually able to put this in perspective. He’s honest and humble about his place on the team. He’s thoughtful and supportive of his teammates, and seeks to bring unity to the team. I’ve often noticed that perhaps Sol’s favorite thing is to be gathered behind a teammate’s match cheering them on, or have all of the teammates gathered behind him.

Being committed to a group of different and diverse people is one of the most difficult things in life. It takes all the character traits that I’ve seen in Sol: humility, honesty, and peace. It takes those characteristics daily. I’ve appreciated Sol’s work in tennis, and I pray that wherever he heads next in life he’ll take the bond of peace with him.

Ephesians 4
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Previous Senior Statements
Ryan Duckworth

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)

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 Triton

Dear Team,
I'm very proud of you today. I'm proud of the way you played. I'm proud of the way that you supported one another. I was proud of the way you served. It was so cool to see you sitting all together as a team watching the last two matches on the court, as the freshman finished up the last of our clean sweep of wins today. It was great to see you find any way you could to help clear the water off the courts this morning, without even being asked. Ethan and Jonathan sweeping off the courts, Simon and Jackson blowing the water off, and every body helping somewhere.

I've said for days and days that we have to focus on how we want to play. The reason for this is because we also need to focus on how we want to live. In tennis, we try to play with the characteristics that positively define our game, with the best skills that we have, and we don't worry about the score. In life, we try to live with the fruits of the spirit and the talents we been given, and don't worry about the outcome. Today, I was lucky enough to see a bunch of guys who were doing both.

Dear Byeong Min,
If I had an award called the "Moment of Smooth Beauty," you would win it every time. To watch you play the past couple of weeks has been simply gorgeous. You are making the right choices, moving the right way, choosing the right swings and playing relaxed. I hope that continues throughout the season. Today, you jumped out to an early lead by angling balls away. Then you finished off the match by staying patient. That takes a lot of focus, a lot of returning to the simple thought of only playing the point you are on. I have enjoyed watching this.

Dear Sol,
Your match today was a great one for you, and I hope you realize that. You struggled out at the beginning, losing 2 of the first 3 games, but then you found your flow. Then, you couldn't be stopped. Early in the match, you seemed to be sluggish and a little down. But then I saw you truly use your body to create energy and excitement. I could see you jumping around behind the baseline before a point, I saw you moving quickly to the ball during a point, and I watched you take joy in your winning shots. The match changed with this change in you, as you changed how you were moving and playing, and the score went 11 games straight in your favor.

Dear Doubles,
Anticipate. Simple. Smile. That is all :-)

Dear Joel,
Congratulations on your first singles win today. You did an excellent job of moving and swinging. You kept the ball in the court and that makes a difference. I love watching you get better this year. You could hardly hit a serve in during camp week and now you are winning singles matches!

Dear Jonathan,
I could say the same about you! Well, you had played a little bit more tennis than Joel, but you have gotten even better. I was so thrilled today with the last point of your match. What have we worked on several times this week? Swinging through backhands. So today, holding the advantage on your serve, you got a ball to your backhand side and what did you do? Exactly what we've been talking about. You swung through aggressively and pounded the ball up the sideline for the win. I love to see what we practice happening in the match. Great job!

Dear God,
May we rejoice in you! Rejoice! Thanks for the gorgeous world. On a morning like this after the clouds and storms have rolled through, everything seems newly alive. As the white clouds rolled through the sky this early afternoon while we picked up balls to go home, I had to think that this was how you felt on those first mornings of creation. Everything seems alive and everything is good. Thanks, because we know that every good and perfect gift comes from above. And thanks for the best gift of all... that no matter what happens, storms or open skies, you are always with us. Amen.

Moment of Sheer Beauty
So many moments today seemed gorgeous. The sun made me smile. Our play made me smile. Daniel eating a habanero pepper made me smile. But as far as specifics go, three things stood out. Jesse Amstutz's volleys all day long, Lane Miller's long volley battle at #1DJV, and Landon Weldy's Japanese Speed Training at #2D.

Jesse was attacking beautifully today. Bryce kept stats for me on Jesse's match, and some of them are eye popping. Jesse had an aggressive margin of +28. That's adding his winners to the errors he forced, and then subtracting his errors. It's a great predictor of who will win. Much of that happened because of his approaches and his cutting volleys. The angles he found on his putaways today were impressive.

Speaking of angles, Lane Miller had an excellent net showdown in his match. After Brandon's serve, Lane cut the ball off at the net and hit it toward Bruno DeSouza. Bruno popped it up and Lane volleyed it back through the middle. Bruno moved to his left and struck it hard at Lane, and Lane reflexed it short to the right of Bruno. Bruno scooted forward and scooped it up towards Lane's backhand, which Lane the finished off past Bruno's Trojan teammate.

And Landon, well, he used his Bryan Brother skills well. After Ryan hit a short return of Spencer Glingle's serve, Glingle stepped in and ripped the ball at Landon. With the shot coming from inside the service line, Landon jumped back and sliced his racket down in front of him, deflecting it up the line for a big winner.

But I can only give the award to one, because that's what an award means. So, to Jesse goes the spoils! Way to put the volleys away and play beautifully aggressive tennis.

Moment of Savage Beauty
For savage, there could also be many contenders. When playing how they want to play, both #1D and Sol get so many overheads, which are just powerful and savage by their nature. But I can't give it to them time and time again. So, how about two points that stand out, and then we'll choose one.

At #2D, Landon got going on serve during the match. With his serve going in, Ryan got many attempts at the net. The best was when the return came low to Ryan at the center of the net. Not able to pound it, Ryan went for a touch drop shot. Spencer Glingle sprinted forward and scooped it up, but right to Ryan's overhead, and he smashed it through Glingle's legs.

At #2DJV, Daniel Robles and Dustin Miller worked well together. Daniel provided the legs to run everything down and many times Dustin provided the power. In particular, I saw one point where Daniel ran down a ball to his forehand and the dashed forward to pick a short ball off the ground and flick it into the open court. The ball was then lobbed up to Dustin who slammed it past his net opponent.

Again, great jobs, lots of aggressive play, but only one winner of the award. So... well... let's give it to Ryan because the touch and then the power is difficult!

SCORES

Varsity
#1S - Jesse Amstutz - 6-1, 6-0 - Jared Fisher (12)
#2S - Byeong Min Lim - 6-0, 6-1 - Gavin Eads (11)
#3S - Sol Brenneman - 6-2, 6-0 - Mace Eads (10)
#1D - Hans Miller/Simon Hurst - 6-0, 6-3 - Austin Sellers (12)/Alex Eib (12)
#2D - Ryan Duckworth/Landon Weldy - 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 - Ben Waggoner (12)/Spencer Glingle (12)

Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Ethan Lapp - 8-0 - Keygan Moiser (9)
#2SJV - Jacob Gonsalves - 8-2 - Josh Wagers (10)
#3SJV - Jackson King - 6-3 - Keygan Moiser (9)
#4SJV - Joel Yoder - 6-1 - Josh Wagers (10)
#1DJV - Lane Miller/Brandon Nguyen - 8-2 - Bruno DeSouza (12)/Dalton Bailey (11)
#2DJV - Daniel Robles/Dustin Miller - 8-1 - Richard Riedl (12)/Tanner Senff (11)
#3DJV - Jonathan Yousey/Lucas Brownsberger-Keyes - 6-3 - Richard Riedl (12)/Tanner Senff (11)

Letters, August 26

Dear Team,
Um... I want to play matches too. In fact, I pretty walked around after school today with a permanent scowl (or so I was told by Benji :-) Thank you for your graciousness and joy. You too could have complained about hitting in the gym or having to run the halls. But you were understanding. Incredible maturity. And last night when we drove all the way to Laville and didn't play, yeah, you laughed and went and played on the swings. Again, incredible maturity. I have enjoyed the last two days despite not playing. It was fun to smash some balls at you during Japanese Speed Training. And it was amazing to eat fried burritos dripping with cheese sauce with you :-)

Dear Hans, Simon & Sol,
I've often been writing this early season to team members who need encouragement because they've hit some rough patches in their matches. You guys, in the completed matches, have played excellent. But I don't want you to believe that you are forgotten or unimportant. As a matter of fact, it's the opposite. The positive energy you all bring, Sol staying calm on the singles court and Hans and Simon sharing high fives and smiles on the doubles court, you need to bring that to everybody on the team. That's why I love that during Jesse's long 3-setter against Jimtown Sol was quoting "Office Space" to keep Jesse in a good mood. It's why Hans and other players should perfect the air-five to pump each other up during the matches. And why Simon has to smile and encourage his fellow sophomores as they improve. Let that positive energy be infectious, and continue to have fun!

Dear Lucas & Jonathan,
Speaking of sweet doubles teams, you guys always play well together. #2 doubles champions at the Angola Middle School Tournament in 7th grade and now opening up your winning accounts together in high school against Concord. But the thing I love the most about you is your love of the hard work. When it rained (again) today, Jonathan smiled and said "I hope we run." A couple of weeks ago, when I asked if Lucas was ready for a tough practice in the heat, he shyly smiled and said, "Well, actually, yeah." You know it is only the hard work that makes us get better, and you continue to get better.

Dear Jared Donaldson,
I feel really good about American tennis when I watch you and Stefan Kozlov (even Noah Rubin for that matter). You don't pout as you play. You give it all you got, even after going down two sets to none against a powerful Gael Monfils. Even though you are only 17. I wish my players could have watched the match last night. Monfils hits some of the most incredible winners, and you didn't let it faze you. Just come back to the line, throw up the serve and fire away. Incredible poise and firepower. I hope to see more in the future!

Dear Brooklyn Nine-Nine,
Thanks for being my mindless crashing place when I'm so frustrated with the weather I could crush a magic 8-ball. I can't believe how good your cold opens are. I wish our first games of every set could be as good as trying to figure out whether Kelly is Scully's wife or his dog.

Dear God,
You are incredibly good. Look at the men that are around me each day. Standing with each other as they go through baptism. Standing with each other in the rain. Standing together when we win and when we lose. Thanks, but that type of joy only comes because You are the foundation. Be the foundation, every single day.

Sol Brenneman

Most Wins in a Season: 19 (2014)
Farthest Advanced in State Tourney: Team Regional (2014)
Longest Winning Streak: 9 matches (2014)
Most Sets Won in a Row: 15 sets (2014)
Biggest Win: 6-0, 6-0 (3 times)
Closest Win: 3-6, 6-3, (10-8)(Wabash, 2013)
Career Tiebreakers Won: 3
Career Tiebreakers Won Percentage: 50%

Career 3rd Sets Won: 5
Season 3rd Sets Won: 3 (2013)
Career Games Won Percentage: 59.0%
Season Games Won Percentage: 65% (2014)
Career 3rd Sets Won Percentage: 50%
Matches Won in a Row w/ a 6-0 Set: 2 (2014)
Matches Won 1st Varsity Season: 13

2014: Varsity: 19-5
#3S - Jimtown - Michael Gray (9) - 6-0, 6-3
#3S - Concord - Alex Dias (10) - 6-0, 6-0
#3S - Goshen - Luke Rush (11) - 2-6, 6-4, 6-7 (3)
#3S - Fremont - Brandon Arnos (11) - 6-2, 5-7, 2-6
#3S - West Noble - Josh Gaff (11) - 5-7, 7-5, (7-10)
#3S - Prairie Heights - Lukas McClanahan - 6-0, 6-0
#3S - Triton - Mace Eads (10) - 6-2, 6-0
#3S - Northridge - Luke Wogoman (10) - 6-2, 6-1
#3S - Westview - Trey Zabona (10) - 6-1, 6-1
#3S - NorthWood - Evan Nix (12) - 6-4, 6-2
#3S - Mishawaka Marian - Max White (10) - 6-1, 1-0, ret. from rain
#3S - Blackhawk Christian - Drew Hall (9) - 6-2, 7-5
#3S - Elkhart Central - Curtis Hill (11) - 6-2, 2-6, 6-4
#3S - Wawasee - Cal Heinisch - 4-0, 4-2
#3S - Centerville - Nolan Witte (9) - 0-4, 2-4
#3S - Portage - Kody Sorenson - 4-0, 4-0
#3S - Fairfield - Clayton Bender (10) - 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
#3S - Bremen - Zac Burkholder (9) - 6-4, 6-0
#3S - Taylor - Bailey Owens (9) - 6-2, 6-3
#3S - Wabash - Luke Mattern (9) - 6-2, 6-2
#3S - Eastern - Isaac Beachey - 6-1, 6-0
#3S - Jimtown - Michael Gray (9) - 6-3, 6-4
#3S - Goshen - Luke Rush (11) - 6-3, 6-2
#3S - East Noble - Kyle Manns - 7-6 (4), 3-6, 0-6
2013: Varsity: 13-8
#3S - Jimtown - Nick Beron (12) - 6-2, 6-0
#3S - Northridge - Ted Field (11) - 2-6, 4-6
#3S - Goshen - Luke Rush (10) - 2-6, 6-7 (6)
#3S - Concord - Riley Huffer (10) - 5-7, 7-5, 1-6
#3S - Columbia City - Blake Fearnow (12) - 6-1, 3-6, 6-0
#3S - Fremont - Jeremy Seiler (10) - 6-1, 6-1
#3S - Prairie Heights - Nick Bennett (12) - 6-1, 6-1
#3S - Triton - Gavin Eads (10) - 6-2, 6-1
#3S - Westview - Stephen Gierek - 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
#3S - NorthWood - Ryan Menzie (11) - 6-3, 6-4
#3S - Marian - Zac Erickson (11) - 6-4, 6-2
#3S - Blackhawk - Chase Ramsey (12) - 2-6, 5-7
#3S - Wawasee - Cal Heinsich (10) - 7-6, 6-4
#3S - Triton - Jared Fisher (12) - 2-6, 2-6
#3S - Merrillville - Sam Dinka (10) - 6-4, 6-2
#3S - Fairfield - Marcus Rhodes (12) - 2-6, 0-6
#3S - Bremen - Krent Hueni (11) - 3-6, 3-6
#3S - Taylor - Casey Glick (12) - 6-2, 6-1
#3S - Wabash - Kory Fuller (11) - 3-6, 6-3, (10-8)
#3S - Eastern - Robbie Walling (12) - 6-3, 6-4
#3S - Fairfield - Marcus Rhodes (12) - 3-6, 4-6


2012: JV: 13-2, Varsity: 1-2

#3S - Northridge - Jed Miller (12) - 1-6, 0-6 - L

#2S - Goshen - Adam Bratten (12) - 1-6, 3-6 - L

#1SJV - Concord - Aaron Allen (10) - 6-1 - W

#1SJV - Fremont - Mitchel Long (10) - 6-1 - W

#1SJV - NorthWood - ? - 6-1, 6-1 - W

#1SJV - Jimtown - ? - 6-0, 4-6, (9-11) - L

#1SJV - Concord - ? - 7-5, 6-2 - W

#1SJV - Triton - Gavin Eads (9) - 8-1 - W

#1SJV - Westview - ??? - 8-0 - W

#1SJV - NorthWood - Austin Sanders (11) - 8-4 - W

#1SJV - Blackhawk Christian - Nick Berry (11) - 8-0 - W

#1SJV - Elkhart Central - Curtis Hill (9) - 6-4 - W

#1SJV - Angola - Zac Davison - 8-2 - W

#1SJV - DeKalb - Luke Bettermore - 7-8 (5) - L

#1SJV - FW Snider - Matt DeHaven - 8-2 - W
#1SJV - Fairfield - Drew Cosby (12) - 9-8 (4) - W

#1SJV - Bremen - Tyler LaFlash (11) - 8-2 - W

#1S - Howe - ??? - 6-0, 6-0 - W

2011: JV: 8-8; Varsity: 2-0

#2SJV – Northridge – Clay Schnell (10) – 3-8

#4DJV – Northridge – Chase Miller (9)/Austin Miller (9) – 8-4

#2SJV – Goshen – Andrew Vetter (9) – 8-4

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

#3SJV – Fremont – Keith Bookwalter (10) – 3-8

#2SJV – Rochester – Andy Feldman (9) – 6-3, 6-2

#2SJV – Jimtown – Darin Martin (9) – 6-2, 2-6, (12-10)

#1SJV – Concord – Jake Boyer (10) – 0-6, 1-6

#2SJV – Triton – Alex Eib (9) – 8-6

#1SJV – Westview – Steven Geirek (9) – 8-3

#1SJV – Elkhart Central – Sean Quinn (11) – 0-6

#2S – Churubusco - Win

#2SJV – Fremont – Craig Foley – 7-8 (7)

#2SJV – Angola – Loss

#2SJV – 5^th place match at Fremont - Win

#1SJV – Fairfield – Adam Yoder (9) – 3-6

#1SJV – Bremen – Jalen Bayer (11) – 1-8

#1S – Howe – Spencer Phillips (11) – 6-4, 6-1