Goshen Match Report - 2019

Scores
V: Goshen 3, Bethany Christian 2
JV: Bethany Christian JV 8, Goshen JV 0

Photos
Click here for photos from the match.


Varsity Recap
This varsity match was a tight one. It was one where we were faced with early challenges. I was so excited to see how we responded to these challenges!

In the doubles matches, we took early leads. In fact, both doubles quickly were one game from the set. Will and Tyson were playing nicely. Their opponents were both new to varsity and one even fairly new to tennis. Still, their shots and movement was much crisper than Monday. They were having fun and they were fun to watch.

In the singles, Josh took an early lead as well. He was finding ways to put pressure on his opponent, lobbing high over the backhand on approaches, making his opponent hit extra shots. He played with energy and belief in taking a 4-1 lead. The other singles matches saw us falling behind. Braden and Caleb were playing hard, but didn't seem to have the belief that they could pull out victories. They played long close games, but couldn't put the finishing touches on. Both fell 6-1 in their first sets.

Meanwhile, Will and Tyson finished off their first set and took a big lead in the second. But Josh and #1D faltered with their big leads. Josh began middling the ball to much and not having as many decisive points. His opponent began to become more sure on finishing points and started relaxing. Josh never gave any less energy, but he couldn't get any more games to go his way. He lost the first set 6-4. #1D lost their lead as well, falling behind 6-5 after having a 5-2 lead. They recovered to send it to a tiebreak, but were very nervous in the breaker. Goshen hit some big serves and took the lead. The Redhawks took the first set at #1D.

In the second sets, #2D finished off their win. It was a simple and brilliant way to get there confidence back. I was super proud of their match. At #3S, Josh again took the lead. He put pressure on with passing shots, he got excited, he won the big points. But again, up 3-2, he became nervous and backed off, content to just put the ball in instead of finding places to finish the points. He lost the set and the match 6-3. I was glad to see the fight and the new things he tried to forge the lead. Sustaining belief and intention are the next places to work.

Meanwhile, Braden and Caleb were putting some intention and belief into their second sets. With new found focus, Caleb was working on finding ways forward to the net and attacking his opponents backhand. Braden got down 1-5, but then began punishing the ball and pushing his opponent around the court. He began finding ways to the net. Both Caleb and Braden found exciting shots, overheads and forehand winners and more. Both sent their sets down to the wire, 5-5 in both. Unfortunately, we couldn't find the finish.

So that left #1D. Joseph and Nathan had flown through the second set, 6-1. And quickly in the third, they took a 3-0 lead in the third. But nerves really set in, and the rest of the set was a battle to stay loose. Goshen roared back to 3-3. From their on out, both team's were nervy. Pushed double faults and returns in the net ruled the day. But both teams had shining moments where their talent broke through. Big serves, well struck volleys. In the end, Joseph and Nathan had leads at 5-3, 6-5, and finally in the tiebreak of 6-4. Each time they lost the lead and recovered. It was remarkable to see their spirit of belief and their effort. In the end, they won the two and half hour match in a tiebreak.

And so the final was 3-2 for Goshen. But there was lots of resilience. And I loved seeing that.

Junior Varsity Recap
The reality is that I didn't get to see any of this match. The facts are that most of Goshen's players are new to the high school team, no matter what grade level they are. But I was really proud that we were able to take advantage of our strengths and win this match.

Even more, I am so glad that everyone got to see some type of success.
 - Breece, Jacob Leininger, Jacob Shank, and Xudong all picked up their first wins as Bethany players.
- Aaron and Austin picked up singles wins after playing mostly doubles last year.
- Cameron got a great doubles win with Theo after playing mostly singles in middle school.
- Josiah is on a two match winning streak!

These things are fantastic, and I was happy for the joy that you brought back to the varsity match as you finished up your games. Despite not seeing a point that you played, I am very proud of you!

You are accepted.
Before this match even began, I was confident in you. I was confident in your attitude coming off of our previous defeat. I was impressed by your attitude of growth instead an attitude of defeat. I know you to be men of encouragement and perseverance. Even when you feel like you have failed, I am so grateful to be your coach. You are an incredible team.

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

1. The JV sweep.
It's one thing to pick up a team win. It's an even better thing to get to celebrate a match where no one loses. Honestly, that takes everybody being ready to play. It takes everybody doing the right things. I'm really happy that the JV got to experience this tonight. It really shows the strength that our program is building.

2. Josh's initial energy.
Beginning the match, Josh was full of joy. And this joy busted out as he encouraged his teammates. As he completed his warmup, he went down the line yelling, "Let's go, Braden!" and "Let's go, Caleb!" and right down through the doubles teams. They responded with "Let's go, Josh!" and that was amazing. These types of positive energy are so enjoyable. They can carry us through the harder times.

3. #1D's resilience.
Nathan and Joseph won a great match. They won a great match where they were not playing their best. That is such an important characteristic to have, not only in tennis but in life. Too many times, people are looking for reasons that explain why they failed, rather than for solutions to help them keep going. Nathan and Joseph faced plenty of times where they could have quit. After losing a tiebreak in the first. After seeing Goshen come back from 3-0 down in the third set. After losing their 5-3 and 6-5 leads. After having a close call go against them when they had a match point. But instead, they found the next shot. That was FANTASTIC resilience, bouncing back, and staying with the positive.

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

I've already highlighted this, but Josh's encouragement and excitement is a gift. When he used that to get us up and ready, that was a service to the team. Also, I'm excited that Jesse Amstutz (a 2015 grad) is going to be using his teaching gifts to help out with the team. I love getting all the help and attention we can from coach's, so I'm thankful that he is stepping in to help Andrew and I :-)

You have achieved.
We came out with confidence. That is an achievement.
We learned about playing tight and swinging loose. That is an achievement.
We went 0-10 last year against Goshen and Jimtown varsitys. We're 4-6 this year. That is an achievement.
We have won both third sets we've played this year. That is an achievement.
We have stayed supportive of each other. That is an achievement.

Prayer
God, let me take comfort and joy in the success that we have had. In the ways that we have improved. In the gifts that You have given. God, thank You for calming nerves under pressure. Thank You for the desire to succeed. Thank You for teammates and their passion for tennis.

Scores
Varsity
#1S - Caleb Shenk - 1-6, 5-7 - Ryan Harmelink (12)
#2S - Braden Bohn - 1-6, 5-7 - Carlos Lichty (11)
#3S - Josh Cartwright - 4-6, 3-6 - Carter Schmucker (10)
#1D - Nathan Oostland/Joseph Mounsithiraj - 6-7 (4), 6-1, 7-6 (6) - Brenton Pham (11)/Wyatt Fisher (12)
#2D - Will Nisley/Tyson Miller - 6-1, 6-1 - Cormac Koop Liechty (11)/Moses Sawatzky (9)

Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Aaron Shenk - 8-3 - Kaden Priebe (9)
#2SJV - Austin Shenk - 8-4 - Joel Byler (9)
#3SJV - Matthew Dyck - 8-4 - Wyatt Hernley (10)
#4SJV - Josiah Schlabach - 9-7 - Soroosh Kermani (10)
#1DJV - Theo Siemens-Rhodes/Cameron Heinisch - 8-1 - Don Perry (12)/Any Eby (10)
#2DJV - Chris Craw/Kameron Branum - 8-6 - Joseph Narayan (12)/Blaine Miller (9)
#3DJV - Jacob Leininger/Breece Erickson - 8-4 - Josiah Penner (9)/Aidan Ebright Zehr (9)
#4DJV - Xudong Sun/Jacob Shank - 8-2 - Emre Gulec (9)/Henric Hathaway (10)