Match Report #4: Fremont

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Varsity Recap

This was a match that we certainly came out playing our best tennis of the season. I was really proud of our team, because we've had three days of practice in a row, and today we looked like we'd really improved from our matches last week. 

Early in the matches, this good play kept us close in the matches. At #1S, Cameron was finding all the angles and corners. At #2S, Noah was playing long games and forcing errors, even using his topspin. At #3S, Ethan was constructing points and putting his opponent in difficult places to finish.

At the doubles, Matthew and Austin made a confident start, and our new #2D of Jacob and Breece really jumped out to an early lead. These teams were keeping it simple, and they were finishing points with decisive belief. 

But Fremont is good (now 8-0 on the season!) and they slowly began to push back, taking control of the points and finding new strategies. As they played better and better, the Bruins continued to play hard. But from decisive belief we started to move toward a bit of exasperated pleading. Instead of believing we could finish the point, we began hoping that the Eagles would miss. 

But it wasn't all downhill, and that's what made me so proud. Throughout the matches, we kept getting better. We kept coming back. We made games close. We made Fremont finish off points and matches. Ethan stretched his first set to a tiebreak, actually having several opportunities to take the first set. His opponent began trying new strategies toward the end of the set, and Ethan adjusted well. He just couldn't quite get the last point. 

Breece and Jacob took the first set in an awesome tiebreak, where they were confident and full of energy. They lacked that a bit as they struggled through a third set where their opponents found some rhythm. This forced the #2D match into a third set. Finding rhythm and simplicity again, the Bruins took the early lead but couldn't hold it and saw the match head into its final stages tied 5-5. In a back and forth game, the Bruins were finally broken, despite having several points to take the 6-5 lead. The Eagles were able to make some aggressive plays under pressure, which provided the breakthrough for them. In the next game, we had two match points against us. The first ended with a double fault, but the second we defended by hitting a great overhead from a difficult situation. It was wonderfully confident play under pressure. Unfortunately, the Eagles served out the next two points to win the match.

But it is these moments of great play that we continue to build on. Moments of brightness and belief. Of confidence under pressure. Moments that are a joy to repeat!

JV Recap

Much like the varsity, I felt that the JV played some of their best tennis in this match. Both Tristan and Jacoby started out their singles matches striking the ball well and not struggling with double faults. Their opponents often forced them into awkward positions and it was fun to watch them recover. Both of them seemed a little timid, but would play into even better tennis as the night went on.

Justin at #3SJV was on from the beginning. He may have some of the best footwork preparation on the team (more on that below). That allowed him to be balanced for so many shots, which he was able to consistently get back and make his opponent work. Speaking of getting shots back, Xayvion played #4SJV and had by far his most consistent match. Each time that we play, Xayvion is getting better and better at this groundstrokes. So many games he pushed right to deuce, but couldn't quite finish it off.

In the doubles, we were certainly led by the buoyant attitude of Jacob and Josiah. They attacked their match with relish, playing against a difficult set of opponents. Jacob and Josiah looked in tandem and playing well together. They held a couple of leads, but couldn't quite finish out the match. Still, their smart and aggressive doubles was a highlight of the night for me.

Emerson and Ian played #2DJV, and they couldn't quite find the right combination of shots together. They had moments where they played unbelievably good points, then moments where they would make simple errors. But as they turned around and played second matches, they got much better. Tristan partnered with Ian at #4DJV, and they both found another level of shot making and energy. Emerson teamed up with Justin, and they dominated a second match, having too much consistency. Also playing a second match, Jacoby played with Keagan. They played brilliantly, with great shots and smooth swings. But they couldn't quite get the lead. 

There was so much action going on all across the courts, it was difficult to know where to look. I really appreciated the way the team got out to cheer for each other. The team really seemed to have a great attitude, helping everyone get better, and encouraging everyone as they came off the court. 

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 :-)

Jacob's overhead with match point against him

When Breece and Jacob got down in the last set, they trailed 15-40 and had two match points against them. I was afraid that they would get tight, but after a double fault erased one of the match points, Breece made a great return and volley as he came to the net. This forced Fremont to lob, and they tried to lob over Jacob. Jacob had to move backwards, and took two quick steps before hitting away at an overhead. He stayed loose in this tense moment, and put the match back at deuce. It was great to see!

Justin's smooth footwork 

Justin moves so well. He is a pro at split-stepping at the correct time. Because of this, he's often able to get a consistent contact point and is becoming one player that we can count on to put the ball in the court. He may not always be the straight-up quickest player in a sprint, but because he has focused on proper footwork, he is able to anticipate and move to the best of his ability. It was really evident in his match tonight.

Xayvion's increasing consistency

Xayvion just continues to get better. It is so much fun to watch. After spending much of this week on movement and groundstrokes, he really was able to play some long points today and force his opponent to come up with some finishing shots. In one particular exchange, Xayvion played a 16 ball rally that saw him hit a running forward backhand near the net followed by a fading backwards forehand as he retrieved a lob. This is what we are after, not perfection but this process of improvement. Loving to see it from so many of our freshmen, including Xayvion!

Jacob's down the line return winner

Just check out the video for a great shot from Jacob. It seems that he does really well with the pressure of the camera on him, since this is the second great shot I've captured on a Reel.

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.

Doubles Players

More than other nights, I saw our doubles teams turning to each other for encouragement. Rather than turning away and being afraid when we made mistakes, we went to our partners and looked for them to pick us up. Many times I heard Breece encouraging Jacob, or letting him know that they "got it." Jacob and Josiah modeled great positive energy, high-fiving and celebrating or smiling off errors. Good doubles teams have fun, but they have fun together even in the mistakes. I loved seeing that tonight!

Moment of Intention

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

Dear God, I can feel our tennis level rising. Please, match that with the level of encouragement that we have for one another. Match that with our faith. Match that with our health as well. As this season progresses, help each part of us to be filled up with more and more joy. In Jesus name, amen.

Scores

Varsity

#1S - Cameron Heinisch - 3-6, 1-6 - Ethan Bock (12)

#2S - Noah Schrock - 1-6, 0-6 - Nick Miller (12)

#3S - Ethan Pairitz - 6-7 (5), 2-6.- Brody Foulk (10)

#1D - Austin Shenk/Matthew Dyck - 2-6, 2-6 - Sam Verdin (12)/Josh Sherbondy (12)

#2D - Jacob Leininger/Breece Erickson - 7-6 (2), 3-6, 5-7 - Conner Trobaugh (12)/Alex Chilenski (12)

Junior Varsity

#1SJV - Tristan Mast - 2-6 - Jeremy Rode (9)

#2SJV - Jacoby Reinhardt - 2-6 - Coloton Guthrie (9)

#3SJV - Justin Hochstedler - 6-0 - Isaac Perez (9)

#4SJV - Xayvion Maust - 0-6 - Dylan Fansler (10)

#1DJV - Jacob Shank/Josiah Schlabach - 6-7 (5) - Aidan Dornbush (11)/Luke Campbell (10)

#2DJV - Ian McHugh/Emerson Landis - 0-6 - Braiden Gaskill (11)/Andrew McAntarfer (10)

#3DJV - Keagan Meyer/Jacoby Reinhardt - 3-6 - Corbin Beeman (10)/Brady Verdin (9)

#4DJV - Tristan Mast/Ian McHugh - 6-1 - Ethan Grimm (9)/Caydin Hufnagle (9)

#5DJV - Justin Hochstedler/Emerson Landis - 6-2 - Austin Fugate (10)/Steve Burkholder (10)

#6DJV - Tristan Mast/Ian McHugh - 6-1 - Brad Wyse (11)/Taylor Dennis (9)