What We Really Enjoyed 9: Triton

Enjoy Some Highlights! 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Matt (@bcbruintennis)

What Happened in the Varsity Match?

It looked as if we might have another match where we started warming up, only to be halted by the incoming rain. But as we got started in a bit of a drizzle, it became clear that we had a different problem to face... our opponents. 

Triton really came out of the gate playing challenging tennis. The Trojans were great at making points long, taking advantage of their athleticism and touch, and making us play a lot of tennis shots. 

Early in the match, this hampered us. All across the team, we tried to go for too big of shots and too early in the point. This resulted in long games, or losing games, and falling behind early. Noah had long games and led only 2-1 after twenty minutes. Meanwhile, #2D and Ian at #3S found themselves trailing. We had some work to do to play the way we wanted to.

But the team didn't panic in the slightest. Instead, we played one point at a time. Sometimes, when points get long, it can be tempting to try something crazy and end it quick. Instead, we committed to hitting the right shots to the right spots. We trusted that we could make it work. And it did eventually begin to work.

Emerson and Ethan at #2D began to really be able to find their groundstrokes. They began to simplify and drive them into the corners of the courts and at their opponents backhands. This ended up setting up our net players for simpler putaways, which we also learned to not overswing at.

#1D had opponents who glued themselves to the baseline and continually put up lobs. Tristan and Justin stayed patient, hitting forehands and backhands and staying active at the net. They would wait until they had moved into great positions and then pull the trigger on the overhead. Both players were inflicting damage with their serves as well, hitting pacy shots that drove their opponents returns wide.

#2S was the only quick match of the night. Gideon used a variety of approaches throughout this match to keep his opponent off balance. He served-and-volleyed, used some slice, but mostly controlled with serve and return being very solid. 

#1S was a long match, Noah faced a very athletic opponent who moved around to all corners of the court. Caden Large was able to track down many of Noah's finishing shots and make Noah hit another one. More often than not, Noah was able to find another finishing ball. However, the games were close and long because of this strategy, making Noah stay under tension longer as well. Noah closed it out well, finishing with a relatively undramatic scoreline in what could have become a tight match. 

Finally, Ian’s match at #3S was a great match of learning and growing. In the first set, Ian looked rushed and anxious in the points. As if they just should be over. As a result, Ian made too many errors. After losing that set, Ian relaxed and began to just focus on having fun in each point and taking the right shots. As Ian did that, the match turned quickly in Ian’s favor. Ian took the second and looked to head to a third as a drizzle began. We decided to move the match to a court that would dry quicker and be less slick, but as the players walked onto the court, it began to truly pour down rain. So, the match was ended at one set all. 

Still, we learned great things in the match to carry on to our next ones!

What Happened in the JV Match?

The JV match tonight was 4 singles matches against the two players that Triton had healthy for the match. In these singles matches, what we really were wanting to see was aggression and consistency.

What we got to see was a lot of good serving, but not a lot of long point play. 

When we hit our serves well, the Trojans were having difficulty returning them. That gave our players the opportunity to really focus in on areas of our serves that were giving us trouble, whether that be staying loose or making the right toss. When we served well, we won the point.

On the other hand, when the Trojans were serving, we got to see a little bit more rallies. Keagan especially used nice topspin strokes to control the rally, whereas against the same opponent Adam used speed and placement. It was interesting to see two JV players with different strengths use those strengths against the same opponent. 

Isaya and Dominic got to do the same, trying different strategies against the same opponent. I was really pleased with the way these two competed. Isaya has had so many close matches this season, so it was nice for him to get to see an opponent that he was able to get a good and comfortable win over. Dominic as well has played great tennis against great teams (Goshen, Northridge, etc.) but hadn't banked a lot of victories. So, it's always nice to add to the win column. 

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 :-)

Ethan and Emerson's Run

After starting their match down 3-2, Emerson and Ethan went on a great run, getting the next 10 games in a row. It was really enjoyable to see them keep their cool, move their feet, and get on a roll. I always love when we can do that!

Sarasponda on the Bus

One of the things that makes me smile so big is when we get to sing our victory song. It's a tradition that goes back almost 20 years now, and each year it gets better and better as the year goes on. My favorite is when we get to sing it after a road match. Filling the bus with our off-key voices is joyous and goofy and energizing. It was really fun!

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.

Compassion

There was a moment in Dominic's match where he was so concerned for his opponent. Dominic had been playing well and his opponent was having a rough patch, and appeared to be really upset. Dominic came to the fence and asked what he could do to help his opponent. I am so proud of that compassion. And Isaya followed that up with a compassionate response. Knowing that he'd have to play the same opponent, Isaya graciously said it would be okay if he didn't want to play again. I know Isaya really wanted to get a match in, so this was gracious of him. I love when our team is considerate of the other team, in both difficult moments and good. We play matches against good people, and I'm glad when we see them as people and think about how when can care.

Let's Take a Moment of Intention

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

Lord, I pray for this team and the other teams in the area. The season is getting to its longest feeling point. We are playing matches left and right. We are tired. We are feeling our strengths, but also our weaknesses. Help us to continue to think about our theme of the year... whatever is excellent and praiseworthy, think on these things. May we continue to follow you into the good, and may we extend that good to everyone. Amen.

Scores

Varsity

#1S - Noah Schrock - 6-1, 6-2 - Caden Large (11)

#2S - Gideon Miller - 6-0, 6-0 - Ethan Shively (12)

#3S - Ian McHugh - 4-6, 6-1 - Colton Large (9)

#1D - Tristan Mast/Justin Hochstedler - 6-1, 6-1 - Zac Greer (12)/Jayden Heckaman (11)

#2D - Emerson Landis/Ethan Claassen - 6-3, 6-0 - Max Ritchison (9)/Blayze Hensley (9)

Junior Varsity

#1SJV - Keagan Meyer - 6-2 - Hunter Arvesen (9)

#2SJV - Adam Siemens Rhodes - 6-0 - Hunter Arvesen (9)

#3SJV - Dominic Ramer - 6-0

#4SJV - Isaya Magatti - 5-0