Match Report #3: Goshen

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Varsity Recap

We came into this Goshen match off of a very good practice. We had high energy on Wednesday, really felt like we were picking up new concepts and learning, really competed well. I had high hopes going into the Goshen match, feeling like we could really put what we were learning to good use.

And for the most part, we did. Cameron moved and hit with much more pace. Breece was much more consistent in his game. Ethan made adjustments at #3S. Matthew and Austin moved well together and attacked the net. Josiah and Noah tried to intentionally pass or lob the net player. 

But for whatever reason, despite our progress and practice, things didn't come together. 

I mean, they did come together so beautifully in moments. Cameron strung together a brilliant series of attacking points where he moved his opponent side to side from a dominant position at the net. He put away some overheads and placed volleys required a lot of scrambling from his opponent. 

Austin and Matthew had several serving games where they really set each other up well for finishing at the net. They also really dominated their strong strokes, cracking forehands and backhands for passing shots. 

Breece served much better, and had these long drawn out points where he searched for a weakness. Ethan eliminated double faults as the match went on. Noah and Josiah both had passing shots that sizzled past their opponents or dove at their opponents feet. 

In some matches, the scores followed our improvement. Matthew and Austin competed well in a tough first set, getting down early but then fighting back to force a tiebreak. They both served so well through the breaker, but couldn't quite find a break of the Goshen serve. It was great to see them both thrive in a pressure situation, but we couldn't quite take the set. We ended up losing the second as well, not quite as close. 

Ethan struggled with consistency in the first set, and then really came alive in the second set. He put lots of shots in the court and found himself always a game ahead. In the big moments, he came through to force a final set. In the final set, Goshen's #3S picked up his game, going for a bit more early in the point. This put extra pressure on Ethan, and he couldn't stay as consistent as the second set. So, in another close match, Ethan lost in three sets.

It was a bummer to not see it all come together, but we had to remember afterwards that tennis is about the sheer and savage joy of hitting a moving target. So we played some "Middle-Middle" a favorite team game and waited for the JV to get back from their match and join us. 

JV Recap

And the JV soon arrived from their match, piling off the bus and looking for some food. They were mostly in a good mood, but their match had been very similar to the varsity. They had found some success, improving on things we'd been working on in practice. But at the same time, they couldn't find the consistency.

For example, many of the guys had been working on serves with me during practice Wednesday. Adam noticed that in his two JV matches, he was serving much harder. Ian noticed that sometimes he'd use the new things we'd worked on, and then sometimes he'd revert to things he'd done before. And I think that was probably the story up and down the line. 

There were some really close matches. Adam and Ian forced tiebreaks in both of their matches, as did Jacob Leininger at #1SJV. Jacoby had a close match in his first as a JV player. Emerson and Keagan were able to take the first mini-set off of their second opponents and ended up in a match deciding tiebreak. 

And I wish I would have been able to see those matches. Because we have just five courts, we had agreed with Goshen to play the varsity at Bethany and the JV at Goshen. It's nice to have the match finish faster, but I always feel a bit disappointed when I don't get to be with the team altogether. Looking forward to the next match, where we'll play and play and play and all be in the same place!

Moments of Joy
These are going to be moments that I saw in the match that were fun, beautiful and memorable! Again, just from what I happened to see :-)

Cameron's long volley rally

At one point in the second set, Cameron attacked the net with an approach shot well placed in the backhand corner. He proceeded to get a volley and put that to the forehand side. His opponent was able to scoop it up, but ended up being able to get it back again. This pattern of back and forth continued for 3 more shots, before Cameron was finally able to slide a midcourt passing shot past his opponent, who had also come to the net during the rally. He let out a "C'mon!" and it was a really fun, rewarding point. 

Middle-Middle

Honestly, it was just fun to goof around with everyone a little bit. I really enjoyed the opportunity to hit some shots, blow off some steam, and just play. It was a joyful moment to see the guys playing with our 6th grade manager as well, who just happens to be my son. I love how these guys cheer him on and make him feel a part of it :-)

Moments of Encouragement
This segment is where I'll highlight ways that we built each other up during the match or the lead up to it.

Players from the past

Tonight, Joseph Mounsithiraj came to watch the match. A former player, it's always great to have them back around to talk to and cheer us on. But interestingly, Joseph didn't show up to the varsity match, he went to the JV match. I love that. It shows that we have former players who are interested in the whole program still, that love Bethany tennis even when there are new guys to cheer for. That's the type of "brother" that I'm so glad we have. That we can continue to be to each other.

Moment of Intention

This is a space where I will offer a short prayer for the team.

God, it has been a long, hot week. Many of us are tired and sore from school and tennis. Heal us, in emotional ways, in physical ways, in mental ways. Let us remember our team focusing verse, that I pray to You right now: 

Based on Philippians 4:4-9

May we rejoice in the You always. I will say it again: may we rejoice! Let our gentleness be evident to all. Help us remember that You are near. We do not have to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, we can bring prayers and thanksgiving, and present our requests to You. And may Your peace, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, Lord, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—let us think about such things. Whatever we have learned or received or heard or seen—help us put it into practice. And, God of peace, be with us. Amen.

Scores

Varsity

#1S - Cameron Heinisch - 0-6, 1-6 - Pi Wellington (10)

#2S - Breece Erickson - 0-6, 0-6 - Moses Sawatzky (11)

#3S - Ethan Pairitz - 1-6, 6-4, 2-6 - Kaden Priebe (11)

#1D - Austin Shenk/Matthew Dyck - 6-7 (4), 2-6 - Joel Byler (11)/Carter Schmucker (12)

#2D - Josiah Schlabach/Noah Schrock - 0-6, 0-6 - Aidan Ebright Zehr (11)/Soroosh Kermani (12)

Junior Varsity

#1SJV - Jacob Leininger - 1-4, 4-5 (1) - Kyan Miller (9)

#2SJV - Justin Hochstedler - 0-4, 0-4 - Moses Kratzer (10)

#3SJV - Jacoby Reinhardt - 3-5, 2-4 - Jacob Murphy (10)

#4SJV - Xayvion Maust - 0-4, 0-4 -

#5SJV - Tristan Mast - 1-4, 1-4 - 

#1DJV - Jacob Shank/Tristan Mast - 1-4, 0-4 - Myles McLaughlin (10)/Braxten Sheets (10)

#2DJV - Adam Siemens-Rhodes/Ian McHugh - 2-4, 4-5 (1) - Erich Schram (10)/Blaine Miller (11)

#3DJV - Emerson Landis/Keagan Meyer - 0-4, 1-4 - Tyler Scott (10)/Lincholn Fisher (10)

#4DJV - Emerson Landis/Keagan Meyer - 4-0, 1-4, (4-10) - Jeremy Stutzman (12)/Crosby Poling Braun (9)

#5DJV - Adam Siemens-Rhodes/Ian McHugh - 3-5, 4-1, (7-10) - David Stutzman (9)/Anton Alstrum (10)