Triton Match Report - 2019

Scores

V: Bethany Christian 4, Triton 1
JV: Bethany Christian JV 3, Triton JV 0

Photos
Click here for photos from the match.

Varsity Recap

This is always a match that makes me nervous. We always play Triton on a Saturday morning, but it seems often like we could be unprepared for them. We've also played a recent schedule of teams that we have beaten more easily, and so it feels like we could be unprepared for a team with a better record.

But the team proved me wrong today. They were extremely ready for this match. After a good practice on Friday for most players, and a good long warmup, our players came out psyched up for the match. I'll admit, I was worried most about #3S, where Josh was playing a senior. I went down and watched the warmup and walked away feeling very confident in Josh. When he has days where he is positive, I can tell good things are going to happen.

And they did for him. As they did for the rest of the varsity. At 3 of the 5 positions we took 5-0 leads in the first sets. At the other positions, we were up 4-1 and 3-2 through the first five games. This was the intentional, attention focused, energetic tennis that we had talked about on Friday at practice. I was really glad to see it translate to the match for the team.

But as in many matches, adversity always finds a way to sneak in. It happened first to Braden, who all the sudden lost his touch in his match. He couldn't figure out ways to win points, as his shots returned to him and going for more left him hitting out. Even his net game was deserting him. So, he struggled to close out the first set after a 3-2 lead. In fact, he didn't get another game in that set. The struggles continued to start the second set, as he went down 3-0 to start that set. He made a comeback of really well played tennis to at the end of the second, but it was a little bit too late. We talked after the match, and realized that there were some really good things to learn from in this match about style and practice.

In other positions, the adversity didn't carry them to defeat, but instead gave them a challenge to up their game. That happened in Josh's match, where the one that I was worried about started to turn around. Josh took an easy first set 6-0, but then the Trojan player started to make the second set more difficult by mimicking Josh's style. This left Josh looking for answers, but he was able to find them by attacking the backhand of his opponent.

Will and Tyson got a 6-0 set as well in their first, but their young opponents really grew into the match as it went. I was impressed with the Triton duo, both playing their first years of tennis. I think they'll blossom into nice players. They were certainly competitive, and kept chipping away, trying to find chinks in the #2 Bruins armor. They found some, but then would lift a ball on the next point to Will's overhead or drop it too short to Tyson's volley or forehand. Simple shots helped put away the match for the Bruins, but it was a nice comeback and energy from the Trojans.

Joseph and Nathan also reeled off a relatively simple first set. They were playing really solid opponents, one Trojan had beaten Philip last year while the other had been part of the #2D that forced Will and Tyson into a second set tiebreak. The Triton players work well together and their individual record stood at 6-2 for the season. The Bruins duo took a big lead in the first set, and finished it off at 6-2.  In the second set, things stayed tight. Every change over, I'd hope that we'd taken two games and it was just one. BC led 2-1, then 3-2, then 4-3, then 5-4. Always keeping our nose in front. In the final game, we had a 40-15 lead and two match points. The Trojans erased both match points with some great scrambling play. We saw several more match points come up before we actually faced a break point. But Joseph came through with a well-placed second serve ace that had his opponent moving the wrong way. Finally, Nathan cut off a forehand return and split his opponents with a volley and delivered match point to the Bruins. That was the third varsity point, which meant I could relax.

I could relax and go cheer Caleb, who was in a third set to decide his #1S match. Caleb had dominated the first set with excellent angles and powerful mid court tennis. Then his opponent had turned those same tables in the second set. But Caleb powered them right back down in the third. Caleb had winners galore, which isn't something we get to see too much from Bethany singles tennis through the years. We've often had more grinders who force errors with good placement, so it's fun to watch Caleb smoke a backhand passing shot or a volley cut down at the net. As his opponent got more and more frustrated, games started to add up for Caleb and he sealed the third set, 6-0.

So, it all ended well for the Bruins. Each position faced enough adversity to learn from, but they were able to push through. Can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds for this team.

Junior Varsity Recap
These guys just played too fast. I was really nervous starting the varsity match, so as I tried to get those started the JV guys blew through the doubles match. I arrived a 7-0 to watch Breece serve out a brilliant victory for him and Theo. Then Austin and Matthew went on to play singles, and I thought, "Oh, well they'll have to warm up for a bit, so I'll go encourage the varsity on to a victory." When I cycled back around the courts, Austin and Matthew were done, with a pair of 8-0 victories in the bag.

I appreciated the JV's joy on this Saturday. Their opponents were perhaps not quite as difficult as they were last Saturday, but the guys that were here just seemed to blend into the team vibe really well. They were quite encouraging and I could often hear their encouragements ringing out from their lower courts toward the higher ones. And it was great to get a well-deserved official victory for the JV.

You are accepted.

Before this match even began, I was excited. Driving on a crisp Saturday morning with a coffee in my hand, hearing you chatter behind me about the SGA fall party or other items of importance, these moments put a smile on my face. It reminds me of the energy of being alive. And so before the match even began, I appreciated each of you!

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

1. Braden's Tweener
Tweeners are all the rage now? In Braden's match, he tracked down a lob and used the tweener, sending it back into the middle of the court. It was so cool, AND I FINALLY GOT TO SEE IT.  I love the shots that act like a jolt of energy to our games. Speaking of which...

2. Will and Tyson's Energy
I love it when these guys get verbally pumped up with each other. Their joy and relief just overcome into some loud, encouraging, uplifting "C'mons" or "Let's go, baby!" I love that it's not meant to intimidate or perturb their opponents, its just overflowing excitement. Which I love. Tennis should be exciting. I loved hearing Will's roars after big overheads. I loved when his opponents raced back fearing the big overhead and Will dinked a drop shot over the net. These joyful points make the whole season worthwhile.


3. Joseph's Calm Under Pressure
At 5-4 up, Joseph served to close out the second set and the match for #1D. He hit a bunch of beautiful serves in that set, but for whatever reason we couldn't find the closing "punch." And then, at deuce, he double-faulted. It would have been easy to crumble, and not bring a good serve on the next point or points. But instead, Joseph erased the break point with a second serve ace out wide in the ad court. He and Nathan went on to take the next two points and win the match. Love the calm attitude.

4. Caleb's Winning the Point Against an Underarm Serve :-)
In frustration, at the end of the third set, Caleb's opponent tried to catch him off guard with an underarm serve. Caleb sprinted forward and flicked it off the ground, then proceeding to the net. His opponent scooped up a low ball and pounded it at Caleb, but it took him completely off balance and Caleb reflex volleyed into the open court. Way to be awake Caleb!

You are significant.

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

The joy with which we played with today was real. And Matthew and Will helped us celebrate that joy on the way home by sharing their smart phone and smart speaker with the bus. I got to hear the oddly popular song "Old Town Road" for the first time. It was a treat (he said sarcastically). But truthfully, watching the music improve the mood on the bus was so cool. Watching guys slapping their knees to the beat was dangerous, but fun. Singing along to the songs that played on the Guardians of the Galaxy playlist, or whatever else came on - it was pretty great. Thanks for sharing the love guys!

You have achieved.

We came out with intention. That is an achievement.
We came out with attention. That is an achievement.
We came out with energy. That is an achievement.
We came out with a win. That is an achievement.
We sang Sarasponda in a moving van when your coach didn't have the voice to lead you. That is an achievement.

Prayer
God, it's been a good first half of the season. We've grown, but I want to make sure that we keep growing together. Life is nothing if it doesn't draw us into relationships, or at least, that's the way it really seems to me. So keep drawing us in, to Your acceptance, to Your vision for us, to our brothers. Draw us in close. Amen.

Scores
Varsity
#1S - Caleb Shenk - 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 - John Gardner (11)
#2S - Braden Bohn - 3-6, 2-6 - Connor Large (10)
#3S - Josh Cartwright - 6-0, 6-2 - Gavin Greer (12)
#1D - Nathan Oostland/Joseph Mounsithiraj - 6-2, 6-4 - Tyler Heckamen (12)/Jared Bules (12)
#2D - Will Nisley/Tyson Miller - 6-0, 6-3 - Cole McKinney (10)/Chandler Westafer (9)

Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Austin Shenk - 8-0 - William Schaetzler (11)
#2SJV - Matthew Dyck - 8-0 - Chase King (9)
#1DJV - Theo Siemens-Rhodes/Breece Erickson - 8-0 - William Schaetzler (11)/Chase King (9)