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Round 1 Recap - v. Merrillville
We started our day against the Pirates of Merrillville. We knew little about our opponents, other than that they had the lowest win total of any of our three opponents for the day. With a beautiful spread of 12 courts to get the matches started on, we all started play at the same time.
And all the matches had a similar flow. We were working through the games comfortably, but I really liked the way we were establishing a confident rhythm. Our feet were bouncing, we were focused on what we needed to do, but we were doing these things with a lightness. With belief. It was getting us into a great space for the day.
In the end, we only dropped 1 game across the five matches. We certainly had opportunities for closer matches, especially at #3S where the Pirate player was very consistent and didn't give up errors easily. But even there, Judah was able to keep calm and grab the 6-0, 6-0 victory. Malachi and Ethan really controlled the net well and spun in cross court shots. Emerson and Keagan served extremely well. And Gideon and Noah continued do dominate.
It was an energetic and electric start to the day.
Round 2 Recap - v. Triton
Next up was a match with the Triton team we had played earlier in the week. This matchup made me a bit nervous, because we had played really well on Senior Night and this Trojan team is really quite good. In there first round matchup, they had defeated Portage. So it looked like the tournament championship really came down to us against them.
Because their #2S and #3S were still battling out long matches against Portage, we began our match by just sending Noah, #1D, and #2D out onto the courts. I was hoping that we could win all three spots and make Gideon and Judah's life less stressful. We got off to a good start, as Noah built a 5-0 lead behind his brilliant brand of consistent, pressure inducing tennis.
Beside Noah, Emerson and Keagan were off to a flyer as well. They crushed the first set (6-1), really playing solid at the net and off the return. They were putting the pressure on Triton and making some beautiful, simple and aggressive plays. They moved into the second set with confidence, but Triton picked up their game. The Trojan doubles made more shots, and we started missing more. But just when it looked like we were headed to a third set super tiebreaker, Keagan and Emerson locked in. Winning three games in a row, they took the second set for the second Bruin point after Noah.
#2D battled inconsistency in the first set. Triton did a great job of patrolling the net, and we were missing and/or setting them up for putaway shots. But when the pressure was on, Ethan and Malachi responded. Much like #1D, they found great serves and made themselves more of a threat at the net. They won 3 straight games to take the first set. At that point, they carried the confidence right into the second set, and pulled away, winning 6-1 in the second to provide the clinching point for the Bruins!
So the team victory was secure before Gideon and Judah even began their matches. Still, these two played so well. Judah had endured a long 6-3, 7-6 victory over his opponent on the Monday before. Against the same player today, Judah struck amazing shots and raced through a 6-1, 6-3 victory today. Gideon also bettered his score from Monday night's match, getting a 6-0, 6-0 victory with awesome footwork and consistent and powerful groundstrokes.
So, the second round was also 5-0 to the Bruins! One more to be champions.
Round 3 Recap - v. Portage
In the final round, we played the hosts. In the past two seasons, this match has been for the championship, as both teams entered the round 2-0 on the day. Today, however, the home team had dropped their first match to Triton. I think that helped our players move into the match with confidence.
Noah served as powerfully as I've ever seen him. The serve was a real weapon, and he was able to outlast and draw errors on many other shots from his opponent. He closed out his third victory of the day 6-0, 6-1 to start the round for the Bruins.
Meanwhile, the doubles got under way. Both teams blanked their opponents in confident first sets. I have to say, I love the way that Emerson and Keagan served through the set and found the right shots to attack during open play. Also, their simple volleys were getting better and better through the day. In the second set, Portage had some spark, but #1D dug out of some love-40 and 15-40 holes to keep the lead. That pressure allowed them to serve out another win.
#2D really started to play their best tennis of the day in this match. Ethan served with authority. Malachi hunted smashes at the net. They moved together well and communicated better. This was key. Doubles is a team sport, so communication is really the way to improve. It was awesome to watch these two come together.
Gideon and Judah entered the courts again as all the others had finished and the team victory was won. Still, they played incredible tennis, putting their opponents on the back foot and rarely making errors. They both found the correct moments to attack with cross court forehands, down the line approaches, deftly aimed passing shots or cracked overheads. They both finished off 6-0, 6-0 victories.
So the team went 15-0 on the day in individual matches. 3-0 in team victories. A great day that ended with the first place trophy.
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 get stronger as the matches go on
This is becoming a feature of the way we play. As a match goes on, as the day goes on, we get stronger. Today, our best tennis came in the final round. Noah and Ethan served their best. Emerson, Malachi and Judah played their best from the net or short court. Keagan returned his best. Gideon dealt with short balls amazingly. I love the way we keep getting better!
- I really like the way we stayed positive
Last weekend, when we faced pressure we became too negative. We turned to complaining. Today when we faced adversity, we believed that we could come through. When Emerson and Keagan got down, they truly believed they could come back. Same with Malachi and Ethan. For the tournament today, a lot of that belief was based on the fact that we'd done it before. We'd beaten Triton previously. But we can believe in the new, individual skills that we showed today as well. And those skills will help us do things we've never done before.
- I really like the way we enjoy eating together
After the matches, we took the trophy over and order some buffalo wings! I loved the way we watched tennis and football, chatted and laughed as friends. Eating together is such a great way to build community, and I loved that today!
God, thanks again. The players on this team are so much fun to be with. Thanks for the improvement that we continue to see in our tennis games. Thanks for the confidence that continues to grow. As we face difficulties, help us continue to feel Your presence and assurance. As we continue to grow, may we grow towards You.
Amen.
Round 1 - Bethany Christian 5, Merrillville 0
#1S - Noah Schrock - 6-0, 6-0 - Cameron Fields
#2S - Gideon Miller - 6-0, 6-0 - Dariyon Ganaway
#3S - Judah Miller - 6-0, 6-0 - Tristan Thomas
#1D - Emerson Landis/Keagan Meyer - 6-0, 6-1 - Louis Ray/Cole Hurst
#2D - Ethan Claassen/Malachi Yoder - 6-0, 6-0 - Jayden Valliant/Arion Mathews
Round 2 - Bethany Christian 5, Triton 0
#1S - Noah Schrock - 6-0, 6-0 - Caden Large (12)
#2S - Gideon Miller - 6-0, 6-0 - Blayze Hensley (10)
#3S - Judah Miller - 6-1, 6-3 - Jaydon Heckaman (12)
#1D - Emerson Landis/Keagan Meyer - 6-1, 7-5 - Isaiah Vaca (12)/Colton Large (10)
#2D - Ethan Claassen/Malachi Yoder - 7-5, 6-2 - Max Johnson (9)/Levi Mcfarland (9)
Round 3 - Bethany Christian 5, Portage 0
#1S - Noah Schrock - 6-0, 6-1 - Nolan Sheets (12)
#2S - Gideon Miller - 6-0, 6-0 - Michael Bourge (12)
#3S - Judah Miller - 6-0, 6-0 - Kyle Gorgei (10)
#1D - Emerson Landis/Keagan Meyer - 6-0, 6-2 - David Lopez (12)/Cameron Enright (12)
#2D - Ethan Claassen/Malachi Yoder - 6-0, 6-0 - Kayden Loera (10)/Amari Ott (10)
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