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Varsity
Another beautiful evening for the Bruins. Unfortunately, the Trojans of Triton also didn't have a full varsity team, nor even their full varsity contingent. They have 5 players on their varsity, but one was sick. So for the second night in a row, we started the varsity match already leading 2-0.
The beneficiaries of those defaults were Ian at #3S, and Tristan and Emerson at #2D. But these players had competitive matches elsewhere tonight. Tristan and Emerson had an awesome match against Keagan and Justin. All four of these players brought their best tennis tonight, smacking their returns and finishing off their volleys. It was also interesting to watch how these guys served under pressure as the match stayed close near the end. It was a really great match, and closer than anything else on the night.
But in the matches where we faced off against Triton, we had a large advantage of experience. Their team has not had too many varsity seasons behind them, where Breece and Cameron and Noah do. We also had one of our freshmen, Gideon, played a high position at #2S. But still these matches never really got close.
Triton brought some interesting challenges. Both of their singles players were able to hit winners at a moment's notice. It was hard to tell when they would sling out a dart into the corners. That unpredictability meant our singles players had to stay on their toes, so as not to give up the point on the hard hit shot. Noah and Gideon excelled at that as the match went on, finding the defensive balls to hold off the low, darting shots and then moving back toward offense.
In all, our singles were just too consistent for the Trojan counterparts. In doubles, that was the same story. The Triton players didn't have the weapons either to push Cam and Breece. Without a big serve, volley, or forehand, Breece and Cam didn't feel very threatened. As such, they were able to control the points. The Trojans came up with a couple of great shots, putting us in bad positions, but for the most part we stayed in positions with the upper hand. I was especially impressed with Breece and Cameron's footwork, as they split stepped amazingly well as they came to the net.
In all, the Bruins were able to secure another victory on the season, raising our record to 6-4 on the season!
JV Recap
There was no JV match tonight, as Triton unfortunately only had 4 players. Our JV players played some matches against our varsity. Some of those were described above. But Gabo also got to play Elliot in a singles match that was fun to watch. Gabo is quick and improving. He plays a style of tennis like Noah, where he moves around the court and gets all the shots back. Elliot also struggled with this in the beginning, but as the match went on, Elliot started figuring out how to pick his spots and move to his shots. By the end of the set, both players were playing well and relying on their strengths, which was great to see.
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 :-)
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 :-)
Lob Retrievals!
Our singles players were being aggressive today, not just waiting on errors but trying to find ways to get to the net as well. In the first game of his match, Gideon got to the net but got lobbed over, he jogged back, not really giving the sprint needed to get a regular groundstroke. But getting beside the ball, he heaved a jumping, turning, over the head scoop shot back into the court. He then reset and won the point. At #3S, Ian did the same type of maneuver late in his match. Playing against Adam, a great lobber, Ian got drawn to the net by a short ball. Then Adam lobbed with great touch. Ian sprinted back, almost losing his hat but finding a way to whip the ball back into the court. He also was able to win the point. It's always fun to run one down and then be able to finish the point!
Cam and Breece's Aces!
I often hand my phone around for guys to take video while I'm coaching, then later in the evening I review the footage and decide what I'm going to feature in the reel. But tonight, I took my phone with me and was taking some video while I was coaching. I noticed how well Cam and Breece were serving, and kept walking down to their doubles court hoping to capture an ace. Two times, I was standing there with the camera ready, only to have a question asked of me by someone standing by. Both of those times, Cameron and Breece hit huge aces, bounding into the fence right where I would have been filming. Ahhh! I guess my timing was off! But the serves were right down the T and amazing!
So Many More...
Noah's short balls, Gideon's backhands, Cameron's returns, Justin's groundstrokes, Tristan's reactions, Emerson's serving under pressure, Keagan's returns, Elliot's placement, Adam's lobs, Ian's control, Gabo's speed... love to see our strengths on display!
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.
Two Ball
As we waited for the pizza to be delivered from Little Caesar's, who had an oven go down and pizza was running an hour late, we headed onto the court to sing and to play. The guys blew off some steam playing our volleying drill, Two Ball. Breece brought out the wooden racket, Daniel tried some trick shots, and even my eight year old Abel came out to join us. It was a non-stress time of simply enjoying tennis as a team. I love these times, and I long to see them more often. There's very little comparison and frustration in these goofy games, and I love to see us building our confidence in them!
Moment of Intention
This is a space where I will offer a short prayer for the team.
Lord, thanks for this team. Thanks for time spent together under pressure, where we get to support, cheer and encourage each other. Thanks for time spent together with no pressure, where we get to learn and enjoy each other's personalities. Grant us the balance of pressure, peace and improvement. Grant us the mental strength to hope. Grant us the attention needed to have joy!
Scores
Varsity
1S - Noah Schrock - 6-0, 6-0 - Caden Large (10)2S - Gideon Miller - 6-1, 6-1 - Damon Kuntz (11)
3S - Ian McHugh won by default
1D - Breece Erickson/Cameron Heinisch - 6-0, 6-0 - Ethan Shively (11)/Zak Greer (11)
2D - Tristan Mast/Emerson Landis won by default
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