Westview Match Report - 2019

Scores

V: Westview 5, Bethany Christian 0
JV: Westview JV 5, Bethany Christian JV 3

Varsity Recap

Usually, when a match report comes out a little later, it means that I have very little to write. Today, as I sit here after experiencing that match last night, I have a lot to write. I just have so little time.

I want to write about the fight that Caleb showed in a very difficult #1S match. He played Kurtis Davis, a player who went undefeated much of last year, losing only in the "Sweet 16" of the State tournament. Caleb went right at Kurtis in this match, matching him in stroke and concentration, but just finding that he lacked the final ball to finish off points.

I want to write about Braden digging in and going stroke for stroke in a long 2 set match. Braden also went against an opponent returning to the same position he played last year. But his opponent had added many elements to his game since then. Last year, he had long rallies with Caleb. This year, Schwartz had the ability to end some points quickly with big forehands and serves. These are things that Braden can sometimes struggle with, but tonight Braden dug in and played out point after point after point. In both sets, Braden drew it close enough to make it tense, but he couldn't quite finish off the sets either.

I want to write about Josh's positivity. Tonight, Josh played a freshmen who was unbelievably good strokes. It is hard to believe he's a freshmen, and he'll certainly be one of the better players around our area for a while. But Josh hung in there. Even more important, he didn't put his head down and feel sorry for himself. Instead, he cheered on his teammates. He kept trying point after point without feeling sorry for himself.

I want to write about Will and Tyson's deep desire to be at their best. Will and Tyson didn't have their best tennis tonight, and it upset them. They expected more out of themselves. Playing a Westview team that was also experienced and talented, Will and Tyson struggled to stay aggressive and keep the ball in the court. Every time they'd seem to hit a good shot, it would come back. That led to frustration and anger. I respect that they want to come at everything with their best.

I want to write about Nathan and Joseph committing to the things that pulled the best tennis out of themselves. This was one of the closest doubles matches that you could play. And in the second set, after having lost the first, we were behind and it looked like trouble. One of the things that Nathan and Joseph kept doing was floating their returns, and so we decided we were just going to have to stand back and go after the returns. That was going to be our best chance. Instead of making excuses or being afraid, Nathan and Joseph went after this confidently. Suddenly, they surged into the lead of the second set and took the lead in the 3rd set as well. Unfortunately for us, the Warriors loosened up then as well. They came back with very solid groundstrokes and net play, and we got a bit tight on our service games. But we kept trying to take the right swings through the nerves. And that's important. We've got to learn to take our best swings even when we're nervous if we ever want to improve. So while we fell short in this match, we're ready for the next one. And we can attack that next close match with confidence.

I want to write about more JV things as well...

Junior Varsity Recap
I want to write about Cameron learning how to play a varsity player and what it will take for him to be one. Playing Kendall Schwartz, who played #3S varsity for the Warriors all of last year, Cam got a good taste of what good varsity tennis will be like. He also learned that he will need some type of weapon to make the leap to the next level, a shot that will force errors or win points. It was a really well-played match by Cam, even if the score doesn't show that.

I want to write about the number of good shots that I saw Aaron hit, and the footwork it took to hit them. Aaron was all over the court in this one, ready to hit shot after shot after shot. He hit so many great, sweeping balls from the baseline. But his opponent was a backboard, chasing things down and sending them right back at Aaron. That doesn't change how many wonderful shots Aaron hit throughout the match!

I want to write about Matthew's decisiveness, and how it changed his match. Matthew began the match getting into weird positions, halfway between baseline and net and not knowing where he needed to be. With this kind-of tentative play, he found himself down 1-4. Then we talked about decisiveness, moving with conviction. All the sudden, Matthew pulled himself back into the match and was playing some of the most graceful points I've ever seen him play. It didn't end up winning him the match, but it did teach him a valuable lesson.

I want to write about Austin and Theo's domination from the first point. With Austin's serve and Theo's slam on the very first point, a tone was set. And they never really let up. We have had a tendency to play a bit timidly at the beginning of our matches, and tonight it never looked like that. It looked confident and like we were ready to play and move. Great job tonight guys!

I want to write about Kameron and Chris's joy! Kameron and Chris faced a difficult test in this match, players who kept a lot of rallies going. It was a tough match, but they played with a lot of joy and a lot of movement. Matches like this allow us to get better.

I want to write about Xudong and Jim weathering the ups and downs. Tonight there were lots of ups as Xudong and Jim got out to a lead early. But Jim and Xudong are both players who can make little mistakes, framing the ball or having their timing get off. There were a couple games in the middle where this happened. It's easy to get frustrated, but Jim and Xudong refocused and came back with more consistency to get the win.

I want to write about Breece and Jacob playing a really solid match. This was the best that I've seen either of these guys play throughout the year. Jacob has really come a long way to be a consistent player, and Breece is starting to show the doubles domination that I knew I could see in him even last year as he played middle school tennis. I love to see Breece hammering serves and overheads, while Jacob danced at the baseline and sent back great shots.

I want to write about Jacob and Josiah hitting such great shots, and watching their strokes get better through the year. These guys had the unfortunate task of playing Westview's #1 and #2 JV players, because those were the only players available yet for them to play. But they had the strokes to hit with them, just not the consistency. It was really fun to watch their shots put pressure on the Westview team, even if we couldn't find the final ball to end the point.

I want to write about all these things in detail. Because I'm proud of what you guys do.

You are accepted.

Before this match even began, I was calm. No matter what happened in this match, I know that you have my back as your coach. And I have your back as my players. I wouldn't trade you for any other group, because you each mean too much to me, with your effort, your struggles, your gifts and all that you have shared with the team. That connection makes me worry less about results.

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

1. Austin and Theo's First Point
Austin served and Theo slammed. These are my favorite type of doubles points. Quick, with each partner executing an aggressive piece of the puzzle. I was glad to see these guys get off to a quick start that they kept up!

2. Joseph's Slams
Joseph is a dominant doubles player. I really love when he gets a point that shows that. In this match, he was able to put down several slams that bounced into or over the fence. Those points matter and can turn the tide of a match. I loved it!

You have achieved.

We competed with belief. That is an achievement.
We stayed together. That is an achievement.
We are ready to enjoy it again tomorrow. That is an achievement.

Prayer
God, fill us up with the truth. Show us the ways in which You see us. Help us live with gratitude. Reveal reasons for joy. Let Your Spirit spill out of each of us, to be shared with our whole group. Grant us unity, purposes of love, and joy! Amen.

Scores
Varsity
#1S - Caleb Shenk - 0-6, 2-6 - Kurtis Davis (12)
#2S - Braden Bohn - 3-6, 4-6 - Justin Schwartz (12)
#3S - Josh Cartwright - 2-6, 0-6 - Isaiah Hostetler (9)
#1D - Nathan Oostland/Joseph Mounsithiraj - 4-6, 6-4, 4-6 - Tim Brandenberger (11)/Elijah Hostetler (10)
#2D - Will Nisley/Tyson Miller - 0-6, 2-6 - Will Clark (11)/Brady Hostetler (11)

Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Cameron Heinisch - 1-8 - Kendall Schwartz (10)
#2SJV - Aaron Shenk - 2-8 - Brennan Beachy (10)
#3SJV - Matthew Dyck - 4-8 - Kylen Bender (9)
#1DJV - Theo Siemens-Rhodes/Austin Shenk - 8-0 - Micah Yoder (12)/Anthony Miller (12)
#2DJV - Chris Craw/Kameron Branum - 3-8 - Jethro Hostetler (9)/Isaac Rogers (10)
#3DJV - Jim Lyu/Xudong Sun - 8-3 - Dawson Schrock (9)/Gaven Miller (9)
#4DJV - Jacob Leininger/Breece Erickson - 8-5 - Braden Barton (11)/Cole Mast (9)
#5DJV - Jacob Shank/Josiah Schlabach - 0-8 - Kendall Schwartz (10)/Brennan Beachy (10)