Growing in Wisdom - Goshen Match

 Video

Varsity Recap
In a match against our crosstown rival, the Bruins came out wanting to show a confidence and conviction. In most matches, we were really streaky with our aggressive tendencies. #2D and #3S both had moments where they were in charge and in control of the points, and then also stretches of tentative tennis. 

Dominic and Aaron fell behind quickly in the scoreline. Near the end of the first set, we set out to change the patterns of the match, to really be the ones in control. From that point forward, we kept the match tight, winning 3 games and making Goshen really dig in for good shots or fortuitous ones, like a framed forehand that landed on the line. During this time period, Aaron and Dom really looked to get forward to the net. But that framed forehand seemed to take it out of us. We struggled to continue the aggression. 

At #3S, Isaya was playing a big hitter who had a year of varsity experience under his belt, having defeated Judah last year when we played Goshen. Again, Isaya had good intentions throughout the match. But his best stretch is when he became a Type 2 singles player. He kept the ball in most of the time, but if he saw a weak shot, he approached the net. My favorite point (probably of the whole night) happened in his match, and I'll detail that more below, but it involved selectively coming to the net. We loved to see the conviction in approach and net play, but there wasn't enough to pull the matches out. So both Isaya and #2D lost their matches despite learning some lessons about how to control points.

At #1S and #1D, those stretches of great movement and simple play were longer. Gideon at #1S traded baseline rallies with his opponent and was able to claw his way back into a tight first set. Down 1-5, Gideon was able to get all the way back into the match by calming his game down a bit. With better positioning and simpler groundstrokes, Gideon was able to draw a few more errors and also find a bit better angles to win points. Facing set points, Gideon played his best moments. He was a drop shot that surprised his opponent, then a running cross court forehand passing shot, and then was able to tie the whole thing up at 5. Unfortunately, at this point nerves hit. And it was difficult for Gideon to find a rhythm for the rest of the match.

For #1D, there was a similar story. Malachi and Ethan led by a game pretty much the whole first set, they were serving really well. Unfortunately, they were struggling to find a break of serve. Stepping up to #1D is an adjustment as far as the quality of serves that you face. Still, the pair was playing their first doubles match together this season and against a quality opponent, and they pushed the first set into a tiebreak. A couple of breaks went against them in the breaker, and they lost the first set. 

In the second set, #1D picked right up where they left off - serving really well. After trading a pair of holds, nerves set in again. A double fault caused them to lose more rhythm, and the confidence began to deflate. But it was a truly great performance in this match a good Goshen doubles team, with just a little letdown. 

At #2S, Judah was able to grab our only team point. His match was marked by playing to strengths. Judah was able to force errors and find passing shots. He was able to serve well and force return errors. It was a really solid match. What really impressed in this match was Judah's ability to mentally stay engaged and in "Robot Mode." In fact, late in the match there were a lot of really close games and a strategy change from his opponent that made him really have to deal with big shots. His opponent was winning points with winners, and Judah had to stay positive. He did a great job, even keeping his calm through a scoring misunderstanding and sealing the match with confidence. 

And that's what the Bruins need, solid matches that build confidence. Confidence that we can be the ones in control. That's what we'll continue to build with our mental effort in practice.

JV Recap

I don't have first hand stories from the JV match, because I was at our home courts with the varsity while the JV was away at Goshen's courts. However, from what I hear Elias had an amazing match of digging deep. He kept points alive and then pulled away at the end when he started controlling with his placement and net play. Like many matches, being the aggressor and the controller in the big moments helped him pull away.

At other positions, we weren't able to get as close. At #1DJV, Silas and Lucas got down early by a large scoreline. They were able to turn their match around when Silas put on a propeller hat and lifted the mood, but it wasn't enough to come all the way back. Many others, including the doubles pair of Eli and Ethan, played well, but couldn't grab a victory.

At the close of the evening, the Redhawks had defeated both the JV and varsity teams. Back at it again soon, growing in wisdom.

Let's go Bruins!

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

Waiting for Dinner

Our match was split between two different sites, so timing out team dinner was a matter of guessing. I guessed wrong by about 20 minutes, so we had some time to spare before eating our delicious team meal (thanks parents!) While we waited, we shifted into different groups to just hit some tennis balls. The groups were so interesting - varsity playing with JV, upper grade students selecting lower grade students to be their partners. I continue to hope that there are no real dividing lines on our team when it comes to being accepted. We are all the Bruins!

WHEN WE ARE WISE: Wisdom is Playing the Percentages

Deep and Down the Middle

In Gideon's singles match, he was struggling in the first set with missing too many shots. Errors can build on each other quickly, especially at the beginning of sets and matches. It's important at the beginning of matches to find points where the main goal is building a rhythm of your stroke and making your opponent make a lot of balls in a row. You do this by staying alive in points, when you are pulled off the court you simplify, lift the ball deep and down the middle, and live to hit the next shot. You also take some of your own aggressive shots to simple spots like the middle of the court. Gideon was able to do that when he climbed back into the match, so I loved seeing that.

Play to Your Strengths

Our varsity doubles are great players at the net. Good reflexes, good overheads, intimidating power. We should be trying to do that as much as possible, because it is such a strength. Deep and down the middle is a strength of our singles players, so we should be playing that as a Plan A. We can adjust, but we always want to make our opponents adjust first if possible. I loved that Judah really did this tonight, using serve and groundstrokes, mid-court volley battles and more. I loved when doubles strung together a couple games of this, using Malachi's serve or Dominic's lobs as opportunities to get forward. Using our strengths is playing the percentages.

THEN WE ARE STRONG: Exceptional Outcomes

Serious Tennisly
In Silas and Lucas's doubles match, Silas's beanie with a propeller is an excellent example of a delicate attitude balancing act tennis players have to do. We can't get too serious, because we soon turn self-critical and put the pressure on ourselves. And we can't be over-the-top silly, because there is focus and decision making needed within the sport. So we have to learn to take serious tennisly, a phrase developed from when I accidentally misspoke when speaking to the 2008 tennis team. I meant to say "take tennis seriously" but I like the little joyous mistake better. When are serious, but with a hint of play and joy. Silas's hat was a great example of that. Still playing hard, still moving and wanting to win, but really enjoying the sport together. Taking "serious tennisly."  

Wisely Chosen, Powerfully Finished

My favorite point of the night came in Isaya's match. We had just talked at the fence about choosing the right shots, trying to keep the rallies going by keeping the ball in play, and then transitioning to being aggressive when he received a weaker shot from his opponent. As his opponent hit a high loopy ball mid-rally, Isaya returned it with another high loopy lob. It came back as a lob, and Isaya again maintained balance and lobbed a second time. The next shot from his opponent was a lob, but it landed mid-service box. Isaya zipped up to it and casually slammed away an overhead, letting out a shout. I love when strategy works out, it is such a joy!

Prayer

God, thanks for a beautiful evening. The temperatures are coming down and our level of play was much better. We pray that we continue to grow... in the Spirit, in wisdom, and in our friendships and encouragement of one another. You are the source of wisdom, and we thank You for Your grace! Amen.

Scores

Varsity
#1S - Gideon Miller - 5-7, 1-6 - Logan Beck (9)

#2S - Judah Miller - 6-3, 6-3 - Tristan Keiser (11)

#3D - Isaya Magatti - 1-6, 2-6 - Mo Watt (12) 

#1D - Malachi Yoder/Ethan Claassen - 6-7 (3), 2-6 - Eli Stickel (12)/Isaac Moore (11)

#2D - Dominic Ramer/Aaron Hochstetler - 1-6, 2-6 - Holden Ebright Zehr (11)/Logan Yoder Rupp (9)

Junior Varsity

#1SJV - Elias Magatti - 8-6 - Liam Post (11)

#2SJV - Jordan Hochstedler - 2-8 - Aiden Saner (10)

#3SJV - Josiah Aguilar Clark - 0-8 - Shaun Paetsch (11)

#4SJV - Sam Brenneman - 0-8 - Manny Arredondo (9)

#1DJV - Silas Martin/Lucas Bateman - 5-8 - Ethan Sloan (10)/Jordy Miller (11)

#2DJV - Ender Finnigan/Ayden Lehman - 0-8 - Nate Corbin (12)/Graham Ebright Zehr (9)

#3DJV - Ender Finnigan/Sam Brenneman - 2-8 - Andrew Hughes (11)/Leo Herber (10)

#4DJV - Ayden Lehman/Eli Steiner - 1-8 - Tristan Schmitz (11)/Michael Troyer (11)

#5DJV - Eli Steiner/Ethan Miller - 4-8 - Vincent Castillo-Miller (9)/Connor Yoder (9)

#6DJV - Josiah Aguilar Clark/Ethan Miller - 3-8 - Dom Keiser (9)/Carsyn Querry (9)