Match Report #8: Triton

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Varsity Recap

This was a glorious morning. The clouds, the crisp air, the proper time of the match: 10:00 AM. We've had so much heat and humidity, it felt so relaxing to get out into a morning match instead of playing in the heat of the day. It left the match feeling simple - we just got to go and play tennis.

Things were also simplified because there were fewer of us going to the match. Triton lacks a doubles lineup this year, so it was just a varsity team of three that boarded the bus for us, headed to Bourbon, Indiana. These morning drives are highlights of the tennis season for me. Quiet, beautiful, and full of hope and promise.

Arriving at the courts, we had plenty of time to get ourselves warm and ready to play. Everyone looked loose and focused, a difficult combination at times, as we began to prepare for the match. As the match started, we were really on our best tennis at the singles positions. Noah had his trademark consistency, but was also showing an innate ability for strategy. He quickly located a weakness in his opponent's game and targeted that. Consequently, Noah was able to breeze through a 6-0 first set, forcing a lot of errors and keeping points relatively short.

At #3S, Ethan got his first match win of the season. He's played so many good opponents at #3S this year, and been in so many close matches. It was nice to see him get a good lead in this match. It definitely was a match of serves. Ethan was really hammering his serve today, and when he made it (especially to the backhand) his young opponent was having difficulty returning it. But because he was going for it (which I loved), Ethan found a couple too many double faults. In the end, the free points were probably worth trying to build this more aggressive style of serving. His opponent also was able to win some free points with his serve, as he had a wicked slice serve that just died at the spot that it hit the ground. This forced Ethan to hit so low balls from awkward spots near the middle of the court. Ethan figured it out, and was able to play some really good groundstroking tennis. In the end, it wasn't a particularly close victory. Just what Ethan needed.

Noah finished out his second set with a little hiccup. Up 3-0 in the second set, Noah forgot to keep his feet moving. As a result, his shots began to sit up in the middle of the court. His opponent swung aggressively and connected on these balls, taking two games in a row to tighten up the set. Noah regained his movement, and thus regained his control. He finished off the match with 3 straight games to win.

With those two singles wins, the Bruins had sealed the team victory. But Cameron was playing his best match of the season. Cameron has been a great leader for us this season, but has faced a brutal lineup of #1S players. What's been amazing is how he has been able to improve with each match and with each practice. We've been integrating new skills and abilities into his game with each practice session. And he was able to deploy them in this match.

His opponent was an athletic counter puncher, trying to bring Cameron to the net and then using power passing shots and lobs. He lived more on trying to force errors from Cameron, but did hit some winners of his own. In the first set, Cam and his opponent traded breaks of serve until late in the set. Tied at 4-4, Cam had the chance to take a 5-4 lead. In this game, Cam got a little tentative, and dropped a long deuce game. Then he was unable to break back to even the set, and fell a set behind. 

He responded by continuing to fight in the second set. This match was so beautiful and varied to watch. Each player had a wide variety of skills. There were drop shots, lobs, long rallies, quick winners, big serves and volley winners. It was awesome to be a spectator of. The second set ended up poised the same as the first, 4-4, Cameron serving. Again, it was a long game. But this time Cameron was much more aggressive. And this is the way forward. In tight moments, the team must learn to be loose and aggressive. Cameron made so much progress moving in that direction. Unfortunately, his opponent played wonderful points in this situation as well. Facing match point, Cameron saved one with a beautifully set up point. Swinging a short angled ball, stepping inside the baseline, and smacking a deep ball into the backhand corner. It was smooth and loose and full of power. Cam denied that first match point but couldn't hold off the next. 

So, the Bruins won two matches to win the match. Even better, we all felt like we had played well. We continue to progress. We continue to move forward and onward. It was a simple day, but it was beautiful.

JV Recap

There was only one JV player on the other team today, so we took two players to get a JV match in. Jacob Shank played first. And Jacob has really been playing well lately. Earlier this week, he had a really nice doubles and singles match against our own team when Prairie Heights didn't have enough JV players. Then, in practice matches on Thursday, he played some great doubles. He continues to improve, which is an awesome thing in and of itself, but such a great example as a leader of our team. Today that improvement showed. 

Early in his match, Jacob was a little bit erratic with his shots. He was still able to take a lead, but it was a match of errors. Then, in his own words, "Honestly, I don't know what happened. I just kept hitting it in and pretty soon the match was over." But that is such a progression. Jacob was able to make adjustments to become more consistent within the match. He was able to keep that ball in long enough to let his opponent make the mistakes. And he then raced away with a quick victory.

Xayvion then came on to play the same player. Xayvion is another example of awesome progression. He is lengthening out the rallies that he can have in every match that he plays. This improvement is due to his continued work. But I also love to highlight all the teammates we have who are encouraging each other to get better. Xayvion didn't get the win today, but he moved and swung well.

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 match point denial

It is hard to play your "loosest" in the big points. It's a skill that you have to have faith in, and grow that faith over time. Cameron has been building that all year, and it's starting to pay off. Today, down match point he made the right play, ripping a forehand to force an error. This poise is going to start paying off down the stretch of this season.

Ethan's serves into the fence

Ethan had a really nice serving day, but it was especially fun when he was serving to the Ad side of the court. On that side, the fence was very close to the playing surface. Because of the spin he was getting on the ball, Ethan was often serving his opponent close to the fence - which forced his opponent into awkward half swings. So many times he would miss, and Ethan's serve would slam into the fence right in front of where I was watching. Many aces!

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.

Simplicity

Sometimes, the most encouraging thing is when everyone is just in a good place. Today, everyone was encouraging each other. Everyone was ready to play. Everyone was looking out for each other, cheering the good points, echoing the "C'mon's." There was no one stand out, but encouragement was just simply part of the day. I loved that!

Moment of Intention

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

Lord, thanks for a good weekend match. Sometimes, these can feel trying, as they take up some of our time to rest. But because we were able to really enjoy the great autumn-like weather, the joy of better play, the affirmation of getting better, and even the fun of a team win - it still felt like a rest. Thanks for these things. Thanks for the good of the world, especially in the unique ways You've created and gifted each of us. Thanks for the people that we get to spend time with in this season, both our teammates and those that we get to meet as we compete with them. You are amazing. Thanks. Amen.

Scores

Varsity

#1S - Cameron Heinisch - 4-6, 4-6 - Connor Large (12)

#2S - Noah Schrock - 6-0, 6-2 - Damian Kuntz (10)

#3S - Ethan Pairitz - 6-2, 6-1 - Caden Large (9)

#1D - Austin Shenk/Matthew Dyck - forfeit win for Bethany

#2D - Jacob Leininger/Breece Erickson - forfeit win for Bethany

Junior Varsity

#1SJV - Jacob Shank - 6-1 - Zac Greer 

#2SJV - Xayvion Maust - 0-6 - Zac Greer