Enjoy Some Highlights!
What Happened in the Varsity Match?
Once again, we had an intensely close match that finished with a 3-2 scoreline. On the season, we have now had 5 of our 10 matches that have been decided by a 3-2 score. That means that we are having a lot of fun, because these types of matches are way better than the ones where we blow out our opponents or get blown out by our opponents. But, our team has been feeling the struggle of these matches, rather than embracing their awesomeness :-)
Tonight, I really feel like we embraced the awesomeness of a challenge. In the face of a close match, we played with joy.
The matches all started with good intensity. I thought sure that Ian had won his first game, as Ian moved the opponent around with strong forehands and attacking tennis. In fact, I was surprised when I went over to talk with Ian at the first change of sides, because Ian was down 3-0. I thought for sure we were ahead 2-1. This was a theme of Ian's match. Ian played well, but just couldn't seem to get the crucial points on the scoreboard.
The same could be said about #2D. Emerson and Keagan really struck solid shots, put down some attacking volleys and overheads (see some in the reel :-), and controlled their groundstrokes. And yet every time I watched them slide the ball across the scorecard, it was in favor of the Panthers and not the Bruins. The ability to relax and stay confident on big points is about forgetting about the score and thinking about how you want to play each point. We'll keep getting better at this as we improve.
In #1D, we were doing the opposite. Justin and Tristan made an energy and confidence switch that was really allowing them to control the big points. Time and time again they won the deuce points, the 30-40 points, the points that put pressure on their Panther opponents. I was most proud of them when they failed to serve out the first set after having the lead. We regrouped, held Tristan's serve, and then broke the Panthers to end the first set. That enthusiasm and focus continued in the second, as Justin and Tristan played strong, quick tennis to win the Bruins our first team point.
Gideon also displayed a lot of fight in his match. Again, his card came in handy. Early in the match, Gideon was making too many errors early in the point. On his card, I had reminded him to make his opponent hit an extra shot. Late in the first set, Gideon still wasn't timing the shots very well, so we focused on just correcting that timing. Slowly, the longer points began to wear on his opponent. If you watch highlights of Gideon's match, you won't see many unbelievable shots... but you won't see any bad shots either. Solid, the second set was solid. But at the end of that set, the senior Panther #2S focused on staying solid as well. Despite Gideon having a handful of set points, Anderson was able to hit big serves in big moments and fight through the tight moments. Gideon fell in a tiebreak as NorthWood earned their third team point.
Noah had an amazing match with a very similar player. Both players liked to dictate the match with low groundstrokes. Both players tried to take advantage and draw their opponents to the net. In the first set, Noah let some frustration become tightness, and lost his aggressive edge. In the second set, Noah began to take charge of rallies early. This allowed him to have less tension, as he could always reset the point and begin his attack again. Slowly, Noah took control of the second set and was able to win through in the third.
Noah's third set win gave us our second team point, but it wasn't enough as we lost 3-2. Still, lots of improvement on the courts tonight.
What Happened in the JV Match?
And this match was full of highlights. Ethan's forehands, Isaya's movement, Adam's net play, Dominic's hustle, Malachi and Silas with great slams. Some of these are captured in the reel and some are described below. All of our singles players played opponents with big serves and big forehands. Ethan was able to use his own weapons to find the weaknesses of his opponent. Ethan forced the Panther #1SJV deep into the court and into his backhand. In a match that was back and forth the whole way, Ethan came from 0-40 down in the final game to hold his serve and finally get some score separation, winning the match 8-5.
At #2SJV, Isaya played an opponent who sometimes offered up big slice and then other times jumped with great topspin. This was a perfect opponent for Isaya to learn about spin and how to counter them. Preparing quickly for a topspin power shot is important, but moving feet in is important against the backspin. Recognizing that quickly is an art for the best players. Isaya is learning that art.
At #3SJV, Dominic popped over after having already played some doubles. Dominic was often on the back foot in this match, being forced back because of the big serve and forehand of his opponent. But Dom hustled and kept points alive. Often, Dom forced his opponent just a little bit off the net. That little bit of distance would cause a shakier forehand or overhead, and often those would end in the net.
Adam and Dominic had earlier competed at #1DJV. These were probably the most powerful and loud opponents we've faced at JV this year. It would have been easy to back down, but Adam and Dominic let their hustle be evident to all, never giving up on an overhead or cornered forehand. Adam did a great job with quick hands at the net. But the pace of the shots was difficult for us to adjust to, we didn't quite soften our hands or judge the angle that the ball would bounce off the racket well enough. Still, it was a good match for the team to face.
Finally, Malachi and Silas also started slowly, falling down 0-5 to start their match. But playing some of their most confident tennis, that got back into it. What I absolutely loved was the way these two flew around the court, being really aggressive in trying to get to the net, finish points and force errors. In the end, they clawed back to 5-7 before finally giving up the last game.
But what a performance it was. These players are learning fast!
What Were the 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 :-)
Silas and Malachi's Amazing Point
Just watch it. Adam captured it, and it may be the point of the season. The reel already has some 4,000 views on Instagram :-)
Gid Falls Down and Wins a Point
In his tiebreak, Gideon was giving it all to cover the court and give himself a chance to take it to a third set. So much so that he lost his footing during one of his points. And still won the point... and we got that on video too. Enjoy this one...
#1D Ridiculous Angles
NorthWood is a team that plays with heavy topspin, which allows them to create really extreme angles. In the #1D match, one return one a wide serve from Justin took Justin near the #1S court trying to return it. The only play available was to skim the net and send it back cross court. The angle was extreme and sent the Panther player towards the #2D court. He scooped it up, but was only able to set Tristan up for a slam. These type of energy inducing plays were all over this #1D match!
What Were the 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.
Strong Support
We don't have the biggest team this season. Bethany has had as many as 24 players on its tennis team in seasons past, this year we are at 14. That is a really great number for practice and improvement, but when it comes to having people around to cheer on the team, it's not so many. Tonight especially, I felt like both teams did an excellent job of moving up and down the courts and letting their teammates feel their appreciation for good points. The JV really helped build up the varsity in the first round of matches on the courts, and then the varsity moved between the different courts to support the JV as they came off. We love to see it, it makes the tennis so much more enjoyable.
Let's Take a Moment of Intention
This is a space where I will offer a short prayer for the team.
Lord, help us take the joy of tonight and move it forward into future matches and practices and days moving through the hallways at school. We have such a gift in this short and sweet tennis season. Let us spend those days loving the simple satisfaction of chasing a moving tennis ball and smacking it across the net. Thanks! Amen.
Scores
Varsity
#1S - Noah Schrock - 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 - Caleb Vincent (10)
#2S - Gideon Miller - 3-6, 6-7 (3) - Nic Anderson (12)
#3S - Ian McHugh - 0-6, 0-6 - Caleb Yoder (12)
#1D - Tristan Mast/Justin Hochstedler - 7-5, 6-3 - Zach Hochstetler (12)/Ty Stankovich (12)
#2D - Emerson Landis/Keagan Meyer - 1-6, 1-6 - Wes Newcomver (12)/Brennan Chilberg (11)
Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Ethan Claassen - 8-5 - Sam Holden (12)
#2SJV - Isaya Magatti - 3-8 - Ezra Cook (11)
#3SJV - Dominic Ramer - 3-8 - Ryker Cisney (11)
#1DJV - Adam Siemens Rhodes/Dominic Ramer - 3-8 - Shawn Miller (12)/Easton Feenstra (11)
#2DJV - Silas Martin/Malachi Yoder - 5-8 - Drew Patterson (10)/Tyler Moyer (9)
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