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Varsity
Tonight's varsity match was another roller coaster ride. We played a young and talented Eagle team who had pushed us during some summer tennis, and who we were going to have to play again soon. We started the match off short handed, as Oscar had a hand injury causing him to have to sit out and rest for the match. But we had a group of guys we could be confident in.
At most positions, the match did not start off well. It's hard to explain, but we looked like we had little energy and little interest in playing with aggression. We often looked pushed back on our heels as if we were just trying to survive. At #3S and #2D, the positions where we had to make changes, the first set score was 6-0 to the Eagles. At #2S and #1D, the matches stayed closer, but we could never quite get over the hump to take the lead.
The only match that saw us continually bringing our best tennis in the first set was #1S. Breece was on top of his game, winning his serve and forcing his opponent into hurried mistakes. Breece was being attacking and ending up at the net to finish a lot of shots. He didn't lose serve the whole first set, but unfortunately he couldn't break serve either. In the tiebreak, Breece let a few too many errors squeak out and ended up falling in a hard fought set where he brought his best footwork and energy.
At the other four positions we also lost the first set. But this is where we began to see the resilience of the team. They kept their head up, they began to fight back. First was Noah, who had been tight in his first set. He quickly adjusted his game plan to keeping the ball low and trying to find the right moments to take his chances. He soon won the second set and pushed his match to a third!
#2D ended up being the first off the courts, unfortunately with a loss. But they certainly picked up their heads to play a much better second set. They were pushed back on their heels much less, and began to finish points off at the net. It was good to see them play so much better.
#1D also began to figure some things out, especially on serve. Cam and Tristan's serves began to challenge their opponents into return errors. They played extremely well from the baseline and took a big lead in the set and then hung on at the end to force a third.
After losing the first set at #3S with a 6-0 scoreline, Gideon won the first game of his second set. This helped him pick his head up, and then he started playing with a passion and intensity that he normally does. He found that he could stay in long points and hit passing shots and make his opponent work. From that he was able to take a lead in the set, and eventually finish it off with a win, 6-4, to force the third.
But at #1S, Breece couldn't quite keep up his amazing level of play in the second set, and his opponent was able to seal the win at that position. That made the score 2-0 for Fremont, meaning we needed to win all the third sets to win the match.
Noah started us off on a good foot. He took a 5-2 lead in his match, playing much the same low shot tennis as he had in the second. His opponent suddenly switched tactics however, and Noah found himself in difficult positions. Or at least new things that he had to figure out. Suddenly, the score was 5-5 and things didn't look as rosy. Noah and I were talking about getting that steely look in his eye, never giving in, always being there to compete - and that's what he did. Lacking his best tennis at the end, Noah found ways to compete. He battled back to a tiebreak, which he won 7-4 to give us our first position victory.
Meanwhile, Gideon, Cam and Tristan were all still fighting on in their third sets. #1D took the lead at the beginning of the third set, but unfortunately couldn't sustain their best attacking play. Errors and timidity began to creep into their game. It was hard to shake, as they'd get close in each game but not quite be able to finish. They ended up losing the third.
But Gideon played on at #3S. He also took the early lead, but his undefeated senior opponent fought back with some bruising, powerful strokes. Being Gideon's first singles match of the year, he started to wear down physically as well. He went down 5-3 in the set, but would not give in. He got another game, closing to 5-4 to put the pressure on. But the Eagle #3S responded with big, powerful strokes in the final game. Gid's comeback wasn't to be tonight, and the Eagles ended up winning by a score of 4-1.
I was proud of how this varsity team kept their head up after difficult beginnings. That resilience, the ability to regain belief, that is something that will serve this team well going forward!
The JV match was very interesting. It felt like we had many games where we competed, pushing things to deuce or deep in the game. But when it came to the finishing point, Fremont was able to find the aggressive shots to put pressure on us, and put us in difficult positions.
Justin really played a good first match, he was energetic, moving, staying in points, using his serve. Unfortunately, he couldn't quite ever get ahead in his match to put pressure on Fremont. In these sets, its always important to nose yourself in front in the scoreline - to test the belief of the other team. The same type of thing happened to Elliot in his singles match. He made a brilliant comeback to 4-4, but then couldn't quite put the pressure on by taking the lead. Capitalizing on momentum is a huge part of winning in tennis, and it's something we are learning to do.
And many of the JV matches were streaky that way tonight. In the doubles, Adam and Keagan were close early, but the momentum of the close games got away from them. In the second match, they were able to win these close games with well placed returns. Gabo and Dominic continued their amazing improvement. The heart that they show is awesome to watch. They are learning about the difference between doubles shot and singles shots, and that was a work in progress tonight.
All in all, the JV is growing and hopefully going to use these matches to build confidence for later in this season. That's what we are looking forward to!
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 :-)
Keagan Knocking Return Winners!
In the second doubles match, Keagan found a cross court rhythm on his returns. Stepping forward to receive the slightly shorter serves of his opponent, Keagan found extreme angles for winners on both forehand topspin and forehand slice winners. Sometimes the rhythm of a slower, shorter serve is tricky and people want to overswing. But Keagan focused on hitting spots and found some awesome winners.
Tristan with the Forehand!
Tristan has a nice big weapon, his midcourt forehand. In this match, he found many times to attack the net person with that midcourt weapon. This forced errors and provided winners. On one point, he attacked with a forehand down the line to his opponent's backhand. It was hit so hard his opponent reflexively stuck the racket out and popped it over the net. Tristan took two steps forward and reattacked the line, this time forcing an error from the volleyer.
Gideon's Long Points and Perseverance!
Once Gideon found his stroke, he began to have really long, great points in his singles match. Back and forth, back and forth in a battle of consistency. In one of my favorite ones, Gideon's opponent attacked a short ball and came to the net, after trying to pass him, Gideon ran down a volley and put up a lob. His opponent got it back with a lob of his own, and then turned and came to the net again. Gideon then sprinted to his initial volley and curled a passing shot down the line. It was awesome to see him stay in it and keep trying for that final shot.
Breece's Serve and Volley!
Breece has many weapons, but watching him serve and volley is really brilliant. To see the touch and accuracy that he uses with his serve and then the first ball. So many times he would put his opponent under pressure tonight, having to hit a serve return and then sprint for some kind of passing shot. I loved watching that battle on Breece's serve unfold.
So Many More...
Cameron's attacking forehands cross court, Emerson's putaways at the net, Ian's serves, Noah's slice and dice with placement, Justin's footwork, Gabo's never-say-die attitude in points, Dominic's forehands and hustle, Adam moving forward and attacking the net, Elliot's serve and the way he came back... all these things were beautiful!
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.
This segment is where I'll highlight ways that we built each other up during the match or the lead up to it.
Together
We all need help to keep our head up. Tonight, wherever people were struggling, there was no one who was alone. That was really encouraging to see. People cheering for Gideon as he gave it all in a third set, people checking on Cam and Tristan after a tough loss, people making us laugh as we tried to fight through. May joy win!
Moment of Intention
This is a space where I will offer a short prayer for the team.
God, thanks for the ability to try again. For grace. We need Your perspective on this season right now, to be reminded that it is more than wins and losses and what position we play. To play free and loose and remember that the great joy is to hit a tennis ball. Thanks!
Scores
Varsity
#1S - Breece Erickson - 6-7 (2), 2-6 - Brody Foulk (11)
#2S - Noah Schrock - 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4) - Colton Guthrie (10)
#3S - Gideon Miller - 0-6, 6-4, 4-6 - Jeremy Rode (12)
#1D - Cameron Heinisch/Tristan Mast - 2-6, 6-4, 1-6 - Aiden Dornbush (12)/Andrew McAntarfer (11)
#2D - Ian McHugh/Emerson Landis - 0-6, 2-6 - Corbin Beeman (11)/Tyler Miller (9)
JV
#1SJV - Justin Hochstedler - 6-8 - Isaac Perez (10)
#2SJV - Elliot Hertzler Gascho - 1-6 - Ryan Baker (9)
#3SJV - Justin Hochstedler - 0-6 - Xander Reetz (9)
#4SJV - Elliot Hertzler Gascho - 4-6 - Jake Chilenski (9)
#1DJV - Adam Siemens-Rhodes/Keagan Meyer - 1-8 - Austyn Fugate (11)/Dylan Fansler (110
#2DJV - Gabo Brenneman Ochoa/Dominic Ramer - 4-8 - Ethan Grimm (10)/Avery McAntarfer (10)
#3DJV - Adam Siemens-Rhodes/Keagan Meyer - 6-1 - Jake Hilvers (9)/Charlie Senecal (9)
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