Prairie Heights Match Report - 2019

Scores

V: Bethany Christian 4, Prairie Heights 1
JV: Bethany Christian JV 7, Prairie Heights JV 1

Photos
Click here for photos from the match.

Varsity Recap

The Bruins did a nice job tonight. For the second straight match, we played against a team that has very little experience. In fact, four of the seven varsity players for the Panthers are freshmen. Despite that, it was inspiring to see that Prairie Heights really battled at those positions, and gave us some different problems to deal with and grow from.

The first problem that we had to grow through was the invitation we were offered to move slowly. Except for #1 singles, none of the Panthers hit the ball exceptionally hard. This doesn't mean that they don't hit the ball well. It simply means that we have more time to move into position for these shots. That could be an advantage, but we met that advantage by standing up and stepping or leaning to shots. I saw this especially happening on serve returns and backhands, where our players would let the ball fall too low in front of them and then try to whip the ball up and over the net.

But, as I said, the growth was the important part, and as we moved into the later parts of our first sets we were starting to value movement again. Most of the first sets weren't very close in the end, except for #2S. But the brilliant thing about Braden's match was that though he was tentative in getting down 4-3, he figured out the aggression needed and ended the set on a roll. So much of a roll that he actually won 9 straight games after finding his groove and rhythm in the match.

Things were fairly straight forward at #1S and #1D as well. Caleb did a great job serving tonight, putting himself in strong spots to start the point. He continued to take advantage when he was in control of the point, moving his opponent around the court and driving the ball. Nathan and Joseph took control again at the net. Tonight was a parade of shots through the middle of their opponents. Simple volleys that they moved their feet to and were able to finish.

 #2D played a tricky match as well, where their opponents lobbed and served well. This required Will and Tyson to drive slower shots and then stay on their toes. It was a great chance to respond with split steps, a skill that was lacking early in the match. They responded by finding their feet and their overheads, as Will smacked two impressive overheads to end their match as well.

Josh played a wonderful learning match tonight. Josh came out hot, with "Plan A" really working. Josh returned a lot of balls to the center of the court and his opponent hit them out. But as his senior opponent shifted styles, Josh found himself lacking weapons to attack. No longer was his opponent giving him free points on missed shots. Josh sealed up the first set and took a slight lead at the beginning of the second. Unfortunately, the Panther #3S player was able to use weapons that were exposing some of Josh's weaknesses. As the match wore on, Josh became frustrated. He was trying so hard, but couldn't get anything he tried to work.

These matches provide us with such opportunity. To practice well, you need...
1. Intention - Something you are focused on developing or improving.
2. Attention - The ability to come back to that intention and commit to work.
3. Energy - The positive attitude and motivation to keep at it even when experiencing failure.

Matches where we don't play like we want to, or have our weaknesses exposed, these matches should provide all three of these elements. They show us the elements that we need to improve - passing shots, aggressive forehands, topspin backhands, or placement. They should grab our attention, showing us that unless we practice well, we won't have the skills needed to win these matches. And they should give us the energy, because there should be an urgency to develop these skills.

Many of our matches gave us this opportunity at growth tonight. We took the first steps by improving our footwork and trying to find our rhythm. For that, I was proud of us.

Junior Varsity Recap
The JV really competed well tonight. From Aaron's quick victory to lead the way to Josiah's fight until the end, I saw a lot of good things from this team.

Prairie Heights is a JV filled with freshmen, and so that gave us the experience advantage. And in our matches with upperclassmen (juniors and seniors), that experience showed. In those 3 matches, we won by a total score of 24-6. That's impressive, and included two 6-0 wins. I also thought it was just a fun little stat :-)

We also won most of the other matches, but I was especially impressed by Cameron's #2S match. This weekend at the JV tournament, Cameron mentioned that he was playing too passive and needed more aggressive weapons. Even though he's not comfortable with that type of tennis, I could tell he was trying to pick it up tonight. It cost him a game, but the learning experience was worth it.

I was also impressed with Austin and Matthew. They were suffering the "slow feet disease", but quickly responded when I talked to them about it. They ended the match really hitting their shots, Austin smart and aggressive forehand and Matthew's knifing groundstrokes and volleys. Matthew actually ended that match with two really great points at the net as Austin served it out.

The other doubles teams all had their high moments as well. Chris volleyed extremely well throughout his match. Breece found the open spots. Jim and Kam blanked their opponents with great movement and smart shots to the openings. Jacob and Xudong served really well, both tallying aces during the match.

In the singles matches, Jacob showed off the consistency that he is developing this year. Hitting ball after ball into the court, he was able to get his first win playing singles. Josiah finished off the night for us, playing great points and fighting until the end.

Each match was a mix of great things we've learned and great opportunities to keep learning. Hopefully we'll take them!

You are accepted.

Before this match even began, we supported each other. We supported each other by playing over the weekend, communicating and sharing in a dress up day, and encouraging each other throughout the day. We support each other too by our practice, by challenging each other to step it up, in ways that we hope will continue.

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

1. People who are committing to what they have to do to get better
To become better players, we have to move through fear. We have to move through things that feel uncomfortable. It was great to see some of you committing to that process tonight. Caleb would like to stick to the baseline, Cameron would like to play with safety instead of aggression, Braden would like to stay in one spot to hit forehands... but they didn't tonight. Caleb committed to attacking the net, Cameron committed to aggressive shots, Braden committed to movement and hitting through his forehands and backhands. And when they did, they found success!

2. Jim's and Chris's volleys
Chris was all over the net tonight. Off of Breece's serve specifically, Chris found ways to jump the middle and finish many points. Jim did too. In fact, he was a little bit ruthless. In the last game of the match, Jim jumped to the middle and hit a solid volley - right off of his opponent's head. Jim was apologetic, but he had been in the right position and hadn't looked where he was putting away his volley. Still it was fun to see people getting in the right places, at the right times, and hitting the right shots.

3. Jacob Leininger's singles win

I made a big deal about this on Instagram, putting a dancing, flashing cat on our story to celebrate. Here's why... I love that we have players who are succeeding in all the different styles of tennis. I love that so many of you have gotten singles and doubles wins. It means to me that we love tennis. And I love that!

You are significant.

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

While I watched Xudong and Jacob's match, they were leading 3-2 and Jacob was serving. The first point they won, and then Jacob double-faulted three times in a row. It would have been easy for Xudong to turn around and criticize, or say something like, "Just get one in." But instead, he turned back and said, "You're okay." Jacob relaxed, and got his serve in. Xudong finished the point with a backhand volley and turned again to encourage Jacob. From their 15-40 deficit, Jacob and Xudong came back to win that game. The game ended with Jacob no longer struggling with the serve, but instead hitting his ace. It was all started by a positive attitude from Xudong.

You have achieved.

We grew from our mistakes. That is an achievement.
We committed to growth areas. That is an achievement.
We encouraged each other when it wasn't going well. That is an achievement.
We won both matches. That is an achievement.

Prayer
God, thanks for keeping the rain away. I worried about it all day long and the clouds cleared just in time. I'm grateful for every night that I get to watch these guys grow and play. So thanks! As we move into the second half of the season, help us remember that we are significant because of Your love, not because of something that we do or win. Let us grow, but rest in your acceptance.

Scores
Varsity
#1S - Caleb Shenk - 6-2, 6-2 - Leyton Byler (9)
#2S - Braden Bohn - 6-4, 6-0 - Mike Perkins (12)
#3S - Josh Cartwright - 6-3, 3-6, 2-6 - Logan Nutt (12)
#1D - Nathan Oostland/Joseph Mounsithiraj - 6-0, 6-0 - Logan Hamilton (10)/Chase Bachelor (9)
#2D - Will Nisley/Tyson Miller - 6-2, 6-2 - Breyton Ambler (9)/Isaiah Malone (9)

Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Aaron Shenk - 6-0 - Jacob Graber (9)
#2SJV - Cameron Heinisch - 6-1 - Kamden Leedy (9)
#3SJV - Jacob Leininger - 6-1 - Jacob Graber (9)
#4SJV - Josiah Schlabach - 4-6 - Kamden Leedy (9)
#1DJV - Austin Shenk/Matthew Dyck - 6-2 - Caleb Louisbury (9)/Logan Swygart (9)
#2DJV - Chris Craw/Breece Erickson - 6-3 - Asa Wells (9)/Hudson Kelly (9)
#3DJV - Jim Lyu/Kameron Branum - 6-0 - Caleb Louisbury (9)/Logan Swygart (9)
#4DJV - Xudong Sun/Jacob Shank - 6-2 - Asa Wells (9)/Hudson Kelly (9)