Enjoy Some Highlights!
What Happened in the Varsity Match?
This was a really close match!
It was a beautiful Saturday, and typically we play a tournament down at the Wabash courts. This Saturday, however, several teams had dropped out of the tournament, and so it was just one match against a very good (13-6) Wabash team.
The whole day had long stretches of very good tennis. The #1S match was a belter. Both players were athletic with good serves, big groundstrokes, and definite strategies. Early in the match, the Wabash #1 realized that standing at the baseline might not be his best strategy, so he started coming to the net often. This led to some really interesting rallies between Noah and him. Still, Noah just got to play someone on Thursday who had taken the same strategy. So Noah was able to apply the lessons from that match, find his passing shots, and move through without getting into too tight of a match.
Gideon at #2S had another really good match. Playing someone who was a very similar player, Gideon was able to have just a little more patience in the rally, or just a little more depth on his shot, or just a little more accuracy on the passing shot. All match, the games were close with multiple chances to get the advantage, but Gideon would just push it over the line to win the game. Despite having a long match, the score didn't reflect it being too close, and Gideon picked up the second point for us.
Unfortunately, we also lost a point. At #1D, it was a close battle of a first set. We were really the aggressors in a lot of the games, pushing them back and causing volley errors by cutting off groundstrokes quickly and making the Wabash team react before they were ready. We were on our toes and putting them on their heals. That swung at the end of the first set, when the Bruins missed a chance to take the set. From that point on, it felt like we were grasping at the match instead of being the ones in charge. We were the ones rocked onto our heals and unsure of what was coming. The Wabash team played some great tennis as the match moved on, and captured the first point for their team.
Unfortunately, #2D couldn't do the same. They fell behind in the tiebreak and couldn't claw back into it. They dropped the first set, but their good play in making it close inspired confidence for the next set. Adam hit low serves, Emerson moved his feet and attacked at net, and they moved quickly through the third set, winning it 6-2.
It looked like #2D would be able to pull out a victory, but Ian had also gained confidence from the first set. Ian also took a lead in the second set, moving ahead 3-2, but then making a great mental shift. Realizing that as a senior this was the last regular season match, Ian decided to enjoy it and make it last as long as possible. The group of players sitting around watching the end of the match said it was the best they'd ever seen Ian play, and I thought it was awesome too. Ian clinched the match for the Bruins, winning the set 6-2.
Which meant the pressure was off for #2D. Released from that, Emerson and Adam dug out of an early third set hole to take the lead. This was a movement and energy filled part of the match, where the players were just playing and moving freely. Once they took the lead though, they tightened up again. Playing tight is difficult, so it is important to find ways to move past the pressure. Adam and Emerson kept finding ways to stay alive, to keep it going, to move on to the next point. One service game of Adam's, when they were facing a loss, ended with Adam hitting three straight first serves in and Emerson getting 3 straight slams. In the end, they forced another tiebreak.
Despite taking the lead early in the tiebreak, the nerves hit again in the middle. We couldn't keep our advantage and unfortunately hit too many shots out under pressure. But we got another nice lesson, to stay loose and restart mentally at the beginning of each point. We don't need to try harder, we simply need to relax and move!
But it still ended up being a great day for the Bruins. A 3-2 win to end the season was especially sweet, because early in the year we kept coming up short in those 3-2 matches. It also helped us end the season with a 12-7 varsity record. That's a great accomplishment for this team!
What Happened in the JV Match?
The JV match at Wabash was a blast. Mostly because the players got to again experience what a varsity match will be like, playing 2 out of 3 sets since we had the time.
Keagan was followed quickly by his #1 counterparts, the #1DJV team of Ethan and Dominic. Ethan and Dominic were able to stay focused and ease their way through another match that was not particularly close. Maybe that was a relief for Dominic, who's been playing a lot of close matches all week :-) But it was good to see these two finish off the season with a comfortable win, showing that they are truly great players at the JV level, and hungry to move up to the varsity level!
At #2DJV, Malachi and Silas were getting to know some of the frustrations and tensions of tennis. Against opponents who were struggling to keep score and know some of the rules, they had to keep focus. The first set ended in a tiebreak (another good opportunity for them to learn) before Malachi and Silas pulled away in the second set.
Finally, Isaya played singles against the same player as Keagan. Isaya doesn't hit as hard Keagan, so he had to rely on different skills to cause problems and draw errors in his match. It was fun to see Isaya have to problem solve in his match, and he found a good combination of keeping the ball deep in the court and higher as well. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite enough to end with a win. However, Isaya did end his JV season with a winning record, which is a great accomplishment. He finished the year at 9-8!
And the team finished with a winning record as well, 8-4. Their only losses were to Northridge, NorthWood, Fairfield and Goshen... some very strong teams considering that NorthWood won the NLC JV tournament, Goshen and Fairfield were both undefeated in regular season matches and Northridge was just our first match :-) So Coach Daniel and I are super proud of this JV group and the work they put in to get better this season!
What Were the Moments of Joy?
Noah Finishing Net Points
Today's match for Noah was interesting. When he could get forward after good approach shots, he was able to win the point. When his opponent got forward, Noah was typically able to find the passing shot. But I love watching Noah volley and overhead right now. He finds a simple, driven, low volley. It's not a power shot, but it is precise and it stays low. I loved watching him put these away today.
Ian's Attitude
Ian took an attitude of joy into the end of the second set. Instead of stressing, Ian decided to enjoy it. Ian decided to make the whole experience last as long as it could. This type of embrace is what I've dreamed for the whole team all year. Embracing the actual play of the match, the joy of each moment of competition. It reminds me of when I play tennis in the driveway with my own kids. I want to see them hit back shot after shot because it's just fun to keep it going :-)
Keagan's Forehand
Several points today, Keagan just controlled with his forehand. From the return, Keagan showed that he had control of the rally, and he would keep the ball deep and difficult to return. This was awesome, and fun to hear his opponent remark about after the match. His opponent said that he just couldn't handle the spin and pace of these shots, which was a testament to Keagan's great work, practice, and execution of his plan!
What Were the Moments of Encouragement?
The Last Match on Court Boost
Today, Isaya and #2D were the last matches on court. And immediately, our group of guys gathered at those courts to watch. Admittedly, not everyone was always focused on the matches. But they were there. Other teams and other times we've seen people wander around, wander away, not be close for their teammates who are still working to win. Today, our team came around to support good play. When we'd hit winners, when we'd seal games, we'd hear encouragement. I loved that.
Let's Take a Moment of Intention
Lord, I'm grateful for this great end to the regular season. This year has been a blessing. It has made me excited about tennis. It has revived my hope in growth and the power of people. Please, as the season ends, may we turn our eyes to You and to one another.
Lord, I'm grateful for this great end to the regular season. This year has been a blessing. It has made me excited about tennis. It has revived my hope in growth and the power of people. Please, as the season ends, may we turn our eyes to You and to one another.
Scores
Varsity#1S - Noah Schrock - 6-4, 6-1 - Grant Ford (12)
#2S - Gideon Miller - 6-2, 6-2 - Eli Mattern (10)
#3S - Ian McHugh - 7-6 (5), 6-2 - Troy Guenan-Hodson (12)
#1D - Tristan Mast/Justin Hochstedler - 5-7, 2-6 - Alex Dinkins (12)/Cooper Long (10)
#2D - Adam Siemens Rhodes/Emerson Landis - 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-7 (4) - TJ Fritter (12)/Ashton Coffman (11)
Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Keagan Meyer - 6-0, 6-0 - Nick Perkins (12)
#2SJV - Isaya Magatti - 3-6, 4-6 - Nick Perkins (12)
#1DJV - Dominic Ramer/Ethan Claassen - 6-2, 6-2 - Spencer Stout (12)/Dylan Pence (10)
#2DJV - Malachi Yoder/Silas Martin - 7-6 (5), 6-2 - Cael McCann (10)/TJ Tracy (9)
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