Saturday, September 21 Tournaments

Scores

V: 6th out of 8 at the Portage Invite
JV: 3rd out of 6 at the Fremont JV Invite

Varsity Recap
It was a gray and windy day for the varsity at Portage. We were aiming to play loose and fun and enjoy our tennis, but with the unfamiliar surroundings and teams that we don't see all the time, we definitely didn't get off to the best starts.

In fact, our team lost 4 of 5 in the first rounds. The only winner was Josh Cartwright, who played an outstanding first set, outlasting Merrillville's #3S in a tiebreak before seeing his opponent kind of quit in the second set. Josh is high energy player, and when he stays engaged and positive, his play can drive opponents mad. This happened against Merrillville, and I was proud of Josh because he had to stick out some difficult games to earn the win. At our other positions, we couldn't relax enough to play our best tennis. I think we're still searching for that magical switch that let's us just enjoy the "sheer and savage joy of swinging at a moving target."

But in the second round, we really turned our play around. Braden had played the tournament champion in the first round, and in the second round he had a slower hitting opponent. Braden couldn't find his shots still in the first set, but he adjusted for the second set. He dropped the ball low and in front of his Portage opponent, and won the match in an epic third set tiebreak. #1D bounced back with a simple win over South Bend Clay and #2D played their best match of the season against a formidable South Bend St. Joseph's team, who are currently ranked #20 in the state. Caleb and Josh both battled well too in the second round, but lost to tough opponents.

Entering the third round we had much more confidence. We were able to pick up wins at #1S, #2S, #1D, and #2D in the last round of matches. It was as if we were working out the kinks as we went along. And I think most of the teams figured out what it means for them to play their best. I think that it mostly has to do with us not thinking too much. In fact, I stopped going to the fence in most of the second and third round matches because I didn't have as much to say. These guys know what they need to do in order to play their best: move their feet, simple and smart aggression, and hit their shots.

We did so much more of that at the end of the day. I hope that is what we take as we move forward to our other end of the season tournaments, at Wabash and the Sectional.

Junior Varsity Recap

Of course, as I was at the varsity tournament, I was receiving texts from the JV letting me know what their progress was. And the story was pretty much all the same.

We beat Angola.
We got close to DeKalb.
We won the third place match.

The JV tournament is played with a group stage and then a crossover round. In the group stage, we matched up to Angola and DeKalb. In the past, this would have been a very difficult group, but this year we dominated Angola. In fact, we defeated Angola at every position.

But DeKalb was difficult. Only #1DJV was able to secure a win over the Barons. In the final rounds though, everybody played for third place except #1DJV. And we all won our final round matches, except for #1DJV, which took 2nd place with a close loss to East Noble.

This JV tournament is a tribute to our depth as a program. Here are the enrollments of the participating schools...

DeKalb - 1791
East Noble - 1017
Angola - 876
Prairie Heights - 424
Fremont - 300
Bethany Christian - 150

We competed with schools that have a much wider range of students to choose from. That's a tribute to the work that our guys put in during the offseason. I know each of these guys worked in different ways - coming to open courts, doing 30-30 workouts, taking lessons, playing with their dads, whatever. That work is really paying off! I love seeing us compete well with good teams!

You are accepted.

Before this match even began, I was ready. I was ready because you guys are ready. We have taken the skills that you have worked on and combined them with the best strategies to help you succeed. We have identified weaknesses and been given chances to improve them. I am excited about the end of this season because I see the potential for awesomeness. I accept you where you are.

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

1. Josh's Match Point 
In Josh's first match, it became obvious that his opponent was getting more and more frustrated. Josh was really enjoying the match, and the atmosphere. Playing next to him were the Triton #2D, and Josh was encouraging them as he played. They were cheering for him back. Josh's opponent was disappointed with the fact that Josh was getting everything back in the court. On match point, Josh led 40-love on his serve. He faulted on the first serve, and then hit a weak second serve toward his opponent. His opponent walked right past the serve as it bounced in, coming to the net to shake Josh's hand. He made no attempt to hit it back. He was all smiles and talked to Josh for a couple minutes, but apparently had no interest in a comeback. It was a funny moment that I will remember.

2. Jacob Leininger's Text
After Jacob and Breece's second match, I got this text from Jacob Leininger... "We just won the next match 8-4. I think that I've been lacking excitement and celebration in my doubles matches. This one felt good." I love this because I love doubles teams that get excited together. I love teams that cheer together. I love this so much because it is fun! And it reminds me that tennis is supposed to be fun! Yes, it can teach us lessons about life and teamwork and hard work, but so can a lot of activities. I choose tennis because I enjoy it, and when I can cheer for myself and my partner I enjoy it even more.

3. Our Final Round of Play
Between the varsity and the JV, we went 8-2 in our final matches of the day. In years past, we have weakened as the tournaments go along. We bring belief in our first matches and then wane throughout the day. Today, we grew stronger as the day went along. That was fun to see!

You have achieved.

We won matches. That is an achievement.
We got progressively better. That is an achievement.
We moved better as the day went on. That is an achievement.
We enjoyed time with our teammates. That is an achievement.
We are ready to come back and do it again. That is an achievement.

Prayer
God, Saturdays are fun days to spend with the tennis team. Help us to move into these days with confidence. Help us to surrender to the gifts You've sent around us. Gifts of great weather, gifts of energy, gifts of laughter, gifts of movement, gifts of joy. Thanks!

Scores
Varsity
#1S - Caleb Shenk - 6-4, 4-6, 8-10 - John Gardner (10), Triton
#1S - Caleb Shenk - 2-6, 1-6 - Spencer Surles (11), Centerville
#1S - Caleb Shenk - Forfeit - Noah Terpstra (11), Merrillville

#2S - Braden Bohn - 2-6, 0-6 - Kyle Fernandez (10), St. Joseph's
#2S - Braden Bohn - 3-6, 6-3, 10-5 - Zander Marcotte (11), Portage
#2S - Braden Bohn - 6-2, 6-2 - Anthony Williamson (12), Merrillville

#3S - Josh Cartwright - 7-6 (5), 6-0 - Benzi Corrales (10), Merrillville
#3S - Josh Cartwright - 4-6, 1-6 - Gage Lecklider (11), Centerville
#3S - Josh Cartwright - 1-6, 0-6 - Connor Large (10), Triton

#1D - Nathan Oostland/Joseph Mounsithiraj - 2-6, 6-4, 4-10 - Bryan Garrison (12)/Owen Winicky (11), Portage
#1D - #1D - Nathan Oostland/Joseph Mounsithiraj - 6-2, 6-0 - Braydon Dukes (12)/Marquise Dawning (10), SB Clay
#1D - Nathan Oostland/Joseph Mounsithiraj - 6-2, 6-2 - Jamar Williams (11)/Micah Rayburn (11), Merrillville

#2D - Will Nisley/Tyson Miller - 4-6, 0-6 - Mason Cunningham (11)/Carter Owens (11), Centerville
#2D - Will Nisley/Tyson Miller - 3-6, 4-6 - Nathan Roth (12)/Ryan Bruneel (12), St. Joseph's
#2D - Will Nisley/Tyson Miller - 6-0, 6-0 - Nathan Duszynski (10)/Noah Stone (9), SB Clay

Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Cameron Heinisch - 8-5 - Trevyn Towers - Angola
#1SJV - Cameron Heinisch - 3-8 - Jack McComb - DeKalb
#1SJV - Cameron Heinisch - 8-4 - Ryan Geinger - Fremont

#2SJV - Aaron Shenk - 6-8 - Krue Nagel - DeKalb
#2SJV - Aaron Shenk - 8-3 - Aiden Koch - Angola
#2SJV - Aaron Shenk - 8-3 - Lukas Berlew - Fremont

#3SJV - Matthew Dyck - 6-8 - Owen Holwerda - DeKalb
#3SJV - Matthew Dyck - 8-5 - Connor Libey - Angola
#3SJV - Matthew Dyck - 8-1 - Conner Trobaugh - Fremont

#1DJV - Theo Siemens-Rhodes/Austin Shenk - 8-2 - North Coltrin/Lucas Nelson - Angola
#1DJV - Theo Siemens-Rhodes/Austin Shenk - 8-1 - Kaine Smith/Josh Allen - DeKalb
#1DJV - Theo Siemens-Rhodes/Austin Shenk - 6-8 - Ryan Ludwig/Jacob Gradon - East Noble

#2DJV - Jacob Leininger/Breece Erickson - 2-8 - Elijah Ehmke/Grant Fetter - DeKalb
#2DJV - Jacob Leininger/Breece Erickson - 8-4 - Thomas Newburg/Jack Smith - Angola
#2DJV - Jacob Leininger/Breece Erickson - 8-6 - Dylan Friend/Brael Wyse - Fremont