Growing in Wisdom - Concordia Match

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Varsity Recap
Concordia is a new match on our schedule this year. It's always exciting to get to play against new competition, because we don't know quite what to expect. So we drove to Ft. Wayne, warmed up in a new environment - with singles courts and behind a large football stadium - and we then got rained off the courts. We scurried to the bus to give it ten minutes and see if we could play.

It actually stopped raining and the courts began to clear. As it dried, we started warming up for our matches, got a few points in... and then it rained again. 

We halted, waited six minutes, then restarted. It was already an hour after our starting time, and the rain continued to spritz every now and then. Finally the sun came out and we really played. And the Bruins played well. 

It started from our #1S court. Gideon stayed focused and energetic during the rain delays, and really took it to a hard-hitting opponent. Handling his opponent's big serve and big backhand, Gid played with angles and precision that helped him establish control and win the match.

Both doubles followed a similar pattern, establishing themselves early with angles and strong net play. The serves and net patrol of Malachi and Ethan was simply too much for their less experienced opponents. 

Dominic and Aaron had a goal of being aggressive and getting forward, and they really put the pressure on. These were good matches, because we had to play points well to win them. Concordia's players had good instincts and athleticism, which made for some really fun points. In the end, both doubles went the Bruins way.

At #2S, Judah worked his way through an aggressive opponent. The Concordia #2 really tried the typical tennis strategy of sweeping the ball to the backhand and getting to the net. But Judah simply didn't make that easy for him. Judah used all kinds of variety - slice, pace, lob, passing shots - and pulled away to win.

Isaya really worked hard in his #3S match. Playing against a typical #3S senior, he was required to hit a lot of balls in the court. He did a great job, and we learned a lot of things, but the key is going to be finding what works.

So the varsity won 4-1.

JV Recap

The JV absolutely swept through their match. They were playing much less experienced players - and as I've said before, I think our JV is generally going to be very good this year. Coming off of a match against Oak Farm's varsity, this match was a change of pace.

Not everyone felt like they played well, but there was great consistency and finishing showed by the Bruins. I loved the team spirit of this group, determined to find what they need to get better.

But for tonight, we feel content. The rain passed us by, the sun was shining, and we ate Subway and sang together on the bus ride home. Things were good!

WE CAN BE HUMBLE, BECAUSE WE BELONG: Moments of Belonging

Judah's Match Ends

I don't always see our players as they come off the courts. I am often off coaching or dissecting another match, and giving the players a little space to celebrate or be sad together. Tonight though, someone took a video of Judah coming off his court. There was a little walkway in between all the courts, and the team was gathering to finish watching Isaya, Silas and Lucas who were all still playing. Every single person who walked past Judah gave him a fist bump. It was great. A simple acknowledgment that we care.

WHEN WE ARE WISE: Wisdom is Playing the Percentages

Crosscourt Aggression

In several of the matches, it was remarkable how well the Bruins used our crosscourt angles to create aggressive shots to safe spots. The first place I noticed this was on the opening point of Gideon's match, where he went wide to the forehand to stretch his opponent, got a shorter ball and went back crosscourt again for an angled winner. But I also noticed this at #2D, who were returning the weaker serves of their opponents with great crosscourt angles. All of the percentages get higher when the shot is hit crosscourt, so it was good to see these angles. 

No Let Up

Jordan finished his match before I even had a chance to get down to him. He was the much better player, but I loved his efficiency in finishing his match. In tennis, the thing to do is simply to play your game and let your opponent have to adjust. If they don't, you just keep playing your game right to the finish. Jordan didn't try to mess around. He hit balls in, he hit balls hard, he won the points. Just playing his game. 

THEN WE ARE STRONG: Exceptional Outcomes

Droppers and Angles

Gideon played some outstanding points tonight. He made excellent use of his touch and his angles. A favorite of mine was match point, where he came forward to get a mid court ball and approached hard up the line into his opponent's forehand. The approach shot was untouchable!

Overall Aggression and Control

One of the things I loved tonight is that we played like we were in control. I have multiple examples of this. Judah using short balls to attack the net. Dom ripping backhand returns. Silas stepping up to a high bouncing serve and hitting an overhead as his return. These points speak of a confidence we should take into any match.

Overhead Over the Fence

My favorite point of the night goes to Isaya. He approached the net when his opponent left the ball short. Coming forward to his opponent's weaker backhand, he earned himself a lob, and a chance at the overhead. He didn't miss, nailing the overhead down into the court and then bouncing it up over the fence and the alley between the two banks of courts. It was an assertive point!

Prayer

God, thanks for tonight. It was beautiful to watch the rain dance through and then the sun to come out. The temperature was magnificent for playing tennis. We were able to not arrive back at the school too late. I really enjoyed the bus ride and the team camaraderie. Thanks. Nights like this are a blessing and we are full of gratitude.

Scores

Varsity
#1S - Gideon Miller - 6-1, 6-2 - Hudson Kraft (12)

#2S - Judah Miller - 6-1, 6-0 - Neil Jain (9)

#3D - Isaya Magatti - 5-7, 0-6 - Adam Bible (12)

#1D - Malachi Yoder/Ethan Claassen - 6-0, 6-1 - Jude Peters (11)/Joey Beights (12)

#2D - Dominic Ramer/Aaron Hochstetler - 6-0, 6-1 - Akar Shein (11)/Brody Groheen (10)

Junior Varsity

#1SJV - Elias Magatti - 8-0 - Ben Hemsoth (12)

#2SJV - Jordan Hochstedler - 8-0 - Liam Herman (10)

#1DJV - Silas Martin/Lucas Bateman - 8-1 - Ben Hemsoth (12)/Liam Herman (10)