I really like the way... Bremen Invite

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Bremen Recap
We entered the Bremen tournament excited about our competition. Throughout the course of the day, we were going to play three teams with a combined record of 29-5. Two of the teams were district ranked. It was going to be a day of solid competition.

We started out by playing the host, Bremen Lions. It started good and bad... Noah and Judah continued consistent play from the NorthWood match and took early leads. Both of these guys were moving well and dealing with whatever their Lion opponents were sending their way. Judah especially had a nice rhythm in this match, not intimidated by long points. Noah continued his best game of variety. So this was great.

But both #1D and Gideon struggled. Their opponents came out attacking and put us on the back foot. Gideon's opponents really knifed approach shots through the court, and Gid didn't react or attack as well on these shots. So often it looked like the shots would clip the tape, but again and again they came over. Gid seemed frustrated and couldn't get his momentum into the match.

At #1D, we just didn't look like we were in control of the match, and didn't seem like we knew how we'd get there. But Keagan and Emerson flipped a switch in their second set. As Noah and Judah completed singles victories, Keagan and Emerson took their match to a third set tiebreak. They had really started hitting balls with purpose and moving easily and smoothly - not overcommitting or guessing. They played aggressive and really seemed to be in the driver's seat. But tied at 7-7, Emerson slightly turned his ankle getting ready to hit. This put a bit of tentativity into their game, and they fell. 

The match came down to #2D, but we couldn't really find a foot hold in Dominic and Ethan's match. We simply missed too many shots without giving the Lions a chance to miss their own. We made a brief rally in the second set, a habit that I am really proud to see. But we couldn't come all the way back, and so we lost to the Lions, 3-2.

Wawasee Recap

In the next round, the undefeated Warriors of Wawasee were the opponent. Judah and Gideon fought valiantly in their singles matches against undefeated opponents, Judah actually leading in the first set and Gid taking an early lead in the second. But their opponents recovered with smooth and low error tennis to take these two spots. 

#1D again had moments of control and brilliance, staying right in their first set. Time and time again, they  couldn't land the final, finishing shots. #2D went against some difficult opponents, and got rocked back on their heels a little. Late in the match they continued the habit of start of finding more moments of consistency. There were some great things to build on in both doubles matches. 

The highlight was Noah's match at #1S. After losing the first set 6-2, Noah made a strategic change in the second set. As he did, Noah began to see openings for passing shots and attacking balls. He began to find success, and took the set comfortably, forcing a deciding third. Leading 9-5 in the tiebreak to 10, Noah lost 4 match points in a row. To his incredible credit, he recovered and closed out the match with two brilliant points to win the sole position for the Bruins in this match.

Fremont Recap

Finally, against Fremont. Noah comfortably won, finishing up a 3-0 day and putting him in a tie for most career wins in Bethany history. He now has won 59 matches across the span of his career. Congrats Noah!

Gideon also grabbed a win. He jumped out to a first set lead but then became a bit tentative and lost the confidence behind his shots. Despite falling behind 5-6 in the first set, he forced a tiebreak. But he lost that first set tiebreak in a close fashion. He had to come from behind. But his methodical and confident style began to pay dividends in the second set. He won the second set 6-0. With the momentum going into the third set deciding tiebreak, he took a 6-0 lead and continued to control the match all the way to the end. Gideon won putting the Bruins up 2-0.

We needed a point elsewhere to win the match, but we couldn't find it. Each of the other matches had really good moments - Judah changing strategy quickly to something that put more pressure on his opponent, Keagan and Emerson stringing together close games, and Dominic and Ethan really making a rally and trying to make an epic comeback to force a deciding third set. We couldn't quite get there, and the Eagles took the 3-2 victory.

Overall, I really liked the way that the tournament was a great learning day for the Bruins. We got better by witnessing Noah's history, dealing with difficult emotions and physical challenges on a long, hot day. Now we take those lessons and return to our way - positive, electric, and believing in our ability. We've got this!

Let's go Bruins!

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 celebrated with Noah

Despite a difficult day throughout the team, we were over the moon for Noah's close and consistent matches. Teammates gathered round to cheer for his third set win over Wawasee. Everyone was happy for him as we took the bus home after the match. It was an incredible thing to see us exhausted but happy for a friend.

- I really like the way Isaya helped throughout the day

Traveling along as a JV player and an emergency back-up, Isaya knew that he might not get to play. But he was so helpful in so many ways. He took video, filled water bottles, cheered and tried to get our echo going - that was my favorite. I just appreciate someone who is willing to jump in, learn and be ready for their opportunity. Thanks Isaya!

- I really like the way we play when we just let go and play confident

When we stay in the moment and trust our game, we really play some "front foot" tennis. Tennis where we are in control of the points and doing damage. Tennis where we are getting the opportunities. We keep our heads up and brush off errors. We clap our opponent's good shots and echo out positivity to our teammates. I love to see this type of tennis - and I saw it at many moments today. May it become our regular level!

Prayer

God, it was a long and tiring day. These days can sap the energy right out of us. Give us the hope to rest, to renew, to worship. Help us to come back feeling renewed.

Amen.

Scores

vs. Bremen

#1S - Noah Schrock - 6-0, 6-2 - Brock Ginter (12) 

#2S - Gideon Miller - 2-6, 0-6 - Chase Devine (10)

#3S - Judah Miller - 6-2, 6-2 - Corbin VanVuren (11)

#1D - Emerson Landis/Keagan Meyer - 2-6, 6-3, 7-10 - Max Barnes (11)/Maddux Hickman (11)
#2D - Dominic Ramer/Ethan Claassen - 1-6, 2-6 - Blake Grove (12)/Micah Porter (11)

vs. Wawasee

#1S - Noah Schrock - 2-6, 6-2, 11-9 - Joey Harper (12)

#2S - Gideon Miller - 2-6, 2-6 - Pablo Mor Chocos (12)

#3S - Judah Miller - 4-6, 0-6 - Kane Dukes (12)

#1D - Emerson Landis/Keagan Meyer - 3-6, 0-6 - Evan Byler (12)/Dane Cripe (12)
#2D - Dominic Ramer/Ethan Claassen - 2-6, 0-6 - Braydon Miller (12)/Austin Harney (11)

vs. Fremont

#1S - Noah Schrock - 6-0, 6-0 - Colton Guthrie (12)

#2S - Gideon Miller - 6-7 (5), 6-0, 10-2 - Tyler Miller (11)

#3S - Judah Miller - 2-6, 3-6 - Ryan Baker (11)

#1D - Emerson Landis/Keagan Meyer - 0-6, 0-6 - Zander Reetz (11)/Jake Hilvers (11)
#2D - Dominic Ramer/Ethan Claassen - 1-6, 3-6 - Trevor Reetz (12)/Charlie Senecal (11)