Concord Match Report - 2019

Scores

V: Bethany Christian 3, Concord 2
JV: Bethany Christian JV 5, Concord JV 3

Photos
Click here for photos from the match.

Varsity Recap
This was such a fantastically exciting match. From the first ball struck I was nervy, I could tell that we had a chance to grab a close win if we could keep ourselves focused and loose, if we could play with joy and aggression. In the end, that's what we were able to do.

We started out the match competing well at every position, but only Braden grabbed an early lead. Actually, of all the positions tonight, it was Braden who seemed to stay in control for the longest stretches of his match. His steady strokes and limited errors left little place for his Concord opponent to attack. And Braden was hitting his good strokes with so much depth, it was amazing to watch as he whittled away point after point.

At the other positions, we had early success as well, sticking close in the matches but always just a game behind. Caleb and Josh stuck with their games early, but were being pushed by opponents with big shots that were running them all over the court. Caleb and Josh both came up with big shots and Caleb served particularly well, but couldn't quite get over the finish line in these games.

At the doubles, both positions were in tight first sets. At #2D, Tyson and Will went back and forth with their opponents, trading the lead based on who was playing aggressively. At #1D, Nathan and Joseph were the aggressors, but nerves and big shots from Concord were keeping things even. Tyson and Will held a 4-3 lead in their first set before watching the Minutemen pull out three close games in a row to take the set. Joseph and Nathan got pushed to a tiebreak, but played beautifully in that closer. It was a close one, no team ever getting more than one point ahead until Nathan and Joseph won the tiebreak 9-7.

Back at singles, Caleb and Josh struggled in their second sets. The effort and attitude stayed high, but they just couldn't keep finding answers to the well placed shots of their opponents. Caleb's opponent especially looked like he was placing the ball right where he wanted, constantly running Caleb and making him hit difficult passing shots. Caleb and Josh ended up losing in 2 sets, putting us down 0-2 in the team match.

But things started to turn quickly. Nathan and Joseph played an aggressive second set, continually coming to the net. With a couple of big shots and quick reflexes, they got us on the board.

Meanwhile, Braden took a 4-1 lead in his second set before getting a bit nervous and pushing the ball. His opponent took advantage of this and began coming to the net, making Braden hit passing shots. After missing a few, Braden honed in again and finished off his 2 set victory. This moved the overall varsity score to 2-2.

Which meant it all came down to #2D, to Will and Tyson. They had gone down early 2-0 in the second set after losing the first, and then they had an attitude switch. As Will hit volleys, he began to get more positive, thinking (and sometimes saying) "Let's go baby!" This positive energy turned the match on its head. He and Tyson reeled off several games in a row to take the second set, and force it into the deciding set.

Tyson and Will carried that momentum into the first game of the third, then lost the next 2 to go down 2-1. At that point, I really emphasized that their feet would be the thing that would decide the match. Getting into position and hitting "yellow" balls, those two things would decide who would win. And the end of Will and Tyson's match wasn't perfect, but they did do those things better than Concord. Will and Tyson used their strengths, groundstrokes and lobs and well played serves.

In the final game, Will and Tyson had two match points denied, where they hit forehands into the net. But on their third attempt to take the match, they sailed a lob over their opponents head which led to a weak backhand try that fell in the net. The Bruins' fans exploded in cheers, as the varsity got a dramatic 3-2 win.

Junior Varsity Recap
Again, with Concord having ten courts, I didn't get to see as any of the JV matches as I'd like. This was especially true of the singles matches, which were on the lower courts. To be honest, I'm really looking forward to Thursday's home match where I'll be able to watch because it's at home and we only have five courts!

But what energy from the JV tonight, and continued solid play. I did get to see the #1DJV, Theo and Austin were positioned right next to the varsity doubles. Their first game was awful :-) I was prepared to go talk to them about being more aggressive, even though they were maybe a bit nervous. They switched over before I could talk to them, but they already knew the message. They flew through their next 8 games with beautiful points and shots.

It was the singles that we really dominated in, winning 4 of the 6 singles matches. Cameron, Matthew, Xudong, and Jim all got singles wins. For Cameron, Xudong and Jim, these were their first singles victories of the season.

And tonight, one thing I loved was the JV energy. They were excited to play tennis. They were excited to watch tennis. They were excited to update the Instagram account (thanks Josiah!) Sometimes home matches can be distracting. We all clump together with teammates, parents, girlfriends, wanna be girlfriends :-), and more... and we don't come together with energy to support the team. At the road matches, there's nothing else to do but to watch the remaining matches. And I appreciate that our guys stay focused on that, stay off their phones, and cheer the team on. It's awesome!

You are accepted.
Before this match even began, God accepted you. God accepted that sometimes you get nervous, distracted, and tired. God accepted that you are supportive, joyful and boisterous. God accepted that you are talented, doubt-filled and capable. God accepts you, and invites you into God's love with all that you are. I am confident in your acceptance, that has nothing to do with this match's outcome!


You are sustained.
Today, we are sustained by these moments of joy...

1. Xudong's joy.
Xudong has been asking for a chance to play singles. Tonight, he got that chance. Though I had him scheduled for doubles, Concord asked for another singles player and we sent Xudong out. He got a big win, his second of the year, but his first in a singles match. When he came back to where the team was gathered rooting on Will and Tyson, he was all energy and smiles. I loved seeing him so excited for his win!

2. Nathan's forehands and reaction volleys.
In the second set, Nathan got into "Big Boi Mode." On one forehand, he shuffled to the side and ripped such an angled winner to his opponent's backhand side that his opponent couldn't even move and the ball spun down and into the fence. In the clinching game, Nathan had two reflex volleys at the net that were stunning, picking up balls that were hit at him without much thought at all. Nathan also put down a confident overhead in that clinching game. He had an air of simple aggression about him, and that led him to simply dominate.

3. Will and Tyson's lobs.

There are two types of lobs. The first type is not fun. It's the type where you are pushed back on your heels by your opponent's aggression, and you throw up a lob because there's nothing else you can do. The second type is beautiful. You invite your opponent to the net and prepare for their approach shot. Then you pick your spot (down the middle solves the riddle) and lob it over their heads. Tyson and Will had lots of the second type last night. In fact, they wrapped up the victory with two in a row. It is amazing when you use your strengths with confidence.

You are significant.
How have we used our God-given gifts to serve the needs of others?

Caleb Shenk and Josh Cartwright had difficult matches tonight. They experienced that feeling of frustration we have when we've tried everything and don't know what else to do. They could have slumped their shoulders and spent the rest of the night feeling sorry for themselves. But instead, Josh started called encouragement to the doubles teams during his disappointing second set. Caleb came off and talked strategy and footwork with me, intently watching and cheering for the #2 doubles match that was still going on after he ended. It was really inspiring to see them finding ways to join in and serve, rather than to shrink and sulk.

You have achieved.

We were confident in our beginnings. That is an achievement.
We came back to the positive when we were nervous. That is an achievement.
We committed to moving our feet before points, listening to the coaching we've been given. That is an achievement.
We won two matches, varsity and JV. That is an achievement.
We supported each other verbally, before, during and after the match. That is an achievement.

Prayer
Lord, today was a great day. I'm really thankful for answer prayer for some of my friends. I'm very thankful for the joy that we played with tonight. I'm grateful for the singing we were able to do, as it was a very satisfying thing to lift our voices together. May we do it in praise, not of victory, but of unity and love. Thank You for offering us union with You, through the grace of your continual acceptance and love. Thanks!

Scores
Varsity
#1S - Caleb Shenk - 3-6, 0-6 - Bryson Schrock (11)
#2S - Braden Bohn - 6-3, 6-4 - Mitchell Whitehead (10)
#3S - Josh Cartwright - 2-6, 1-6 - Nathan Schraw (9)
#1D - Nathan Oostland/Joseph Mounsithiraj - 7-6 (7), 6-3 - Gavin Smith (11)/Kayden Cain (11)
#2D - Will Nisley/Tyson Miller - 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 - Brayden Newburn (11)/Thomas Burkert (10)

Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Aaron Shenk - 5-8 - Samuel West (10)
#2SJV - Cameron Heinisch - 8-1 - Garrett Trout (9)
#3SJV - Matthew Dyck - 8-4 - Gabriel Nascimente (9)
#4SJV - Xudong Sun - 6-0 - Garrett Trout (9)
#5SJV - Jim Lyu - 6-1 - Gabriel Nascimente (9)
#6SJV - Jacob Leiniger - 2-6 - Samuel West (10)
#1DJV - Theo Siemens-Rhodes/Austin Shenk - 8-1 - Ethan Kavanaugh (10)/Bailey Morrison (11)
#2DJV - Chris Craw/Kameron Branum - 2-6 - Ethan Kavanaugh (10)/Bailey Morrison (11)