I really like the way... Oak Farm

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Varsity Recap

On a week that was scorching weather wise, the Bruins started the match against the Oak Farm Falcons with great intention. We have been playing well over the first several weeks of the season, and were ready to go to work. At every position, our serves were crisp. Our movement was great. I really liked the way we started this match.

In each match, I saw things that we've been trying to improve. I really liked the way we were confidently bringing those pieces into a match.

I really liked the way...

Noah was ready to punish short balls and come to the net.

Gideon was serving with confidence and feel.

Judah was mixing up his game with different types of pace, spin and placement.

Keagan was simplifying his service games.

Emerson was preparing for his returns and net play.

Dominic was finding simple volleys through the court.

Ethan kept his movement in between his shots.

These skills enabled us to wrap up the matches fairly quickly against the Falcons. They are a team only in their second year of existence, and they are rapidly improving. Their singles players especially began to find a bit of a rhythm in the second set, and took a couple more games. In the end, experience and consistency won out as we took convincing two set victories at each position.

JV Recap

The JV match was similar in results. Simple victories. Isaya and Aaron both played singles matches, and I really liked the way they stayed on their toes. Isaya's strokes were solid, and he's really improving his anticipation and preparedness within points. Aaron has wonderful groundstrokes and alertness within points. His quick hands allow him to pick up shots from his opponents that come at awkward angles and paces. These were two good victories for our singles players.

The JV matches continued however with intra-squad matchups. Eli and Preston continued to show off new skills that they are learning in a close singles match that Preston squeaked out, 6-4. What I was impressed with was how Preston was taking a new skill (touch) and working it into the match. Eli continues to improve his serve as well. 

In a doubles challenge, Lucas and Malachi squeezed past Ender and Silas. Silas was really grooving his groundstrokes again and making life hard on Malachi and Lucas at the net. Ender is really doing a good job with his solid forehands, and is making strides on putting things away at the net. Malachi showed an improved serve and Lucas was very solid from the back of the court, often putting pressure on with forehands and backhands. The hustle was also high from Malachi and Lucas, and they earned a 6-4 win.

It was fun to watch our own players continue to grow. I really like the way we took to that challenge.

I really like the way...

This will be a segment of each match report where I'll highlight amazing things - points, efforts, encouragements from the match.

- I really like the way we served

Tonight, I saw a lot of people playing who had put in good work on their service motion. Gideon, Noah, Emerson, Keagan... I mean, I could list a lot of players. I'm proud of the work that we've put in to grow these strokes into consistently reliable ones. Some of us are even turning our serves into real weapons.

- I really like the way we adapted

It's always a bit of a bummer when a team doesn't have a full JV, or they arrive and we find out that injuries have shortened their numbers. Both things happened tonight, but instead of pouting, we adjusted to put on competitive matches against one another. I'm always so grateful to players who play with a good attitude and understand when changes have to be made.

- I really like the way we continued to enjoy time together

After the match, I loved watching the players circle up on the court to eat the delicious meal together. After the meal, I loved watching the impromptu game break out where we were playing with any racket except for our own. Well after this match was over, guys continued to hit with broken rackets or even water bottles, just having fun on the tennis court. It's times like that that end up making a group really special, the extra times where you really just want to stay and be together.

Prayer

God, You continue to bless this group with many good things. With health, with opportunities to play together, with beautiful points and weather. We just want to thank You. We can sometimes be oblivious to the simple goodness that exists around us, that is there because You are good. May we turn toward Your goodness. 

Amen.

Scores

Varsity

#1S - Noah Schrock - 6-0, 6-2 - Ryan Kochanski (11)

#2S - Gideon Miller - 6-0, 6-1 - Ryker Elias (11)

#3S - Judah Miller - 6-0, 6-1 - Fyo Hayden (9)

#1D - Emerson Landis/Keagan Meyer - 6-0, 6-0 - Lilly Moser (11)/Wesly Ostlund (9)
#2D - Dominic Ramer/Ethan Claassen - 6-0, 6-0 - Ivy Witmer (11)/Kingston Linthicum (12)

Junior Varsity

#1SJV - Isaya Magatti - 8-0 - Riley Fitzharris (10)

#2SJV - Aaron Hochstetler - 8-0 - Madelyn Burtch (10)