Coming soon!
The Varsity Story
"Tennis is Fake"Wow! Tonight was an awesome performance from the Bruins. Coming off a good day of rest, the Bruins played some excellent tennis. It almost seemed unreal and scripted. I mean, how about a Senior Night match that comes down to the two seniors on varsity having to win their tiebreak to seal a victory for their team? Seems like Hollywood stuff, but tonight that's exactly what happened.
The first match off the courts was Judah. Tonight, he took a bit to settle into his match. But in the middle of the first set he suddenly found the combination of shots that provided difficulty for his opponent. He road the break of serve he got and the energy from that into the second set. In the second set, he kept it up. He ended up playing great, and has really been coming into his own the last two weeks as he plays with confidence.
The second win was also a confident one, delivered by Lucas and Jordan. They took an early lead in their match, capitalizing on some early mistakes from their opponents. But then they really controlled the net in this match. We've been emphasizing activity and control, and they hit some amazing volleys that were characterized by the control the they had on their rackets and the touch they were able to put on the ball. Soon after Judah won the 1st, Jordan and Lucas provided the second.
Which meant it would only take one more for the Bruins to win the team match. But at that time, despite three matches remaining on the court, all of those matches were so close. Aaron had won the first set but trailed deep in the second set. Elias had lost the first set in a nail-biting tiebreak. It looked like it might all come down to our two seniors on Senior Night, Malachi and Ethan. Could they finish their match at #1D?
Ethan and Malachi took the first set by jumping out to a quick lead and playing simple yet aggressive tennis. Up 4-0, they lost a bit of focus. Triton jumped on it, and started playing much better in their own right. They were hitting almost everything back, forcing the Bruins to almost finish the point twice. The Trojans crawled back into the set, but the Bruin pair finally got it over the line.
But then we relaxed again. Anytime that we do that, going for the spectacular or wasting our serves, it seems that the other team responds by playing excellent. In the second set, it was the Trojans who roared out to a 5-2 lead in the set. Facing the prospect of a third set, Malachi and Ethan came back to their strategies. Simple control. Movement at the net. Returns in the court. Doing this, they turned the pressure around. They made it the Trojans who had to finish. Little by little, they worked their way back in and tied it at 5-5. After trading holds of serves, it was 6-6 and time for a decisive tiebreak.
In the tiebreak, the Bruins found themselves trailing until Ethan knocked off two impressive serves and then caused some errors with well controlled points. The Bruins went from 5-4 down to 6-5 ahead, with Malachi serving for the clinching Bruin point. Fortunately, Malachi boomed a great serve. It was called out, but the Triton player reversed his call. That moment of honesty meant the Bruins had won the match. It was a valiant admission by the Triton player, reminding me of years ago when we had been in a tiebreak with Fairfield and one of our players reversed his call. You have to give credit to honesty. It was great.
But the Bruins had won, with the seniors clinching it on Senior Night! Whoo!
Meanwhile, Aaron had made his way back into the third set. Playing with confidence and movement, he had gotten the match back to 3-3. He was volleying and attacking really well, finishing points often with excellent 1-2 punches. He would hit one side of the court and then volley through the open side. In all of this, his form looked really good, using his legs to generate the solid base of his shots. But again, credit to Triton, who was a really good and really well coached team, the #3S player found a new level. With incredible overheads, he attacked the net and made it hard for Aaron to have the time. The Triton #3S was incredible at finding just the right trajectory to scream a line drive overhead from almost anywhere on court. So Aaron gave it his best, but these shots and the new level defeated him.
And that's okay. When our opponent's find a high ability, we just have to clap and congratulate them. Still, we had one more match on the courts. It was Elias, and he had turned his match around and was now into a third set.
Elias was close in the first set, he trailed early led late, but couldn't get the finishing shot. Much like his match on Friday night, this match was really about who could hit the better finishing shot. In the tiebreak to end the first set, Elias fell just short. But wow, did he turn this around in set 2. He started focusing on the spots he needed to put the ball in, and all the sudden he built a lead in the set. Elias also learned through the match how to return his opponent's tricky left-handed serve. In the second set and then into the third, he made less and less errors returning that shot.
In the third set, Elias raced out to a 5-0 lead. He had several chances to end it, but dropped 2 games. Then with a roar, he finished the match 6-2 and had a great win! So proud of how he got it all turned around and continued to believe.
That's true for the whole team. This was an impressive victory over a really solid team. Triton had been 11-3 entering our match. That's a good team that we played really well against, and the seniors led the way! Let's go Bruins!
The JV Story
As the drama played out in the varsity matches, the JV matches started dotting the courts in between them. Triton's singles players all had a similar game, they really challenged us with their consistency and ability to get the ball back in play. All of our singles players are talented at that as well, and so most of the matches became about who would make an error.
At #1SJV, Isaya faced a player who has had a really successful varsity season this year. Isaya continued with the ease and consistency that he's developed this season, playing and serving well. He couldn't quite find the finishing shot.
At #2SJV, Ayden played a long match. His opponent was a pro at consistently putting the ball back in the middle. Ayden played long points with him, but couldn't find a weapon to end the points without an error. And James match at #3SJV was basically the same. Good serve, good effort, but it was hard to finish the points.
At #2SJV, Ayden played a long match. His opponent was a pro at consistently putting the ball back in the middle. Ayden played long points with him, but couldn't find a weapon to end the points without an error. And James match at #3SJV was basically the same. Good serve, good effort, but it was hard to finish the points.
On Senior Night though, Silas and Ender didn't have trouble finishing points. They actually flowed through their match, hitting down the line forehands and volleys that split their opponents. It was close, but the fun type of close. The type of close that makes it even more enjoyable when you turn up with the win.
Sam and Eli's match was not like that. They got through the match with very little drama. Sam's groundstrokes continue to grow stronger, and several times he came up with powerful passing shots and returns.
Ethan and Mason played the same opponents as Sam and Eli. Mason continues to get experience and Ethan continues to grow in the way he hits and moves on the court. I've been impressed at how Ethan is starting to time things better on the move. And Mason gave himself many chances by being in the right place, but couldn't quite complete the points without errors.
And after the Trojan #1DJV finished, they turned around and played against Leo and Josiah. They hung in the rallies really well, lifting lobs and basically got the ball in. They also are starting to play the net much better, which I really appreciate.
So, the JV Bruins fell in the match, but continue to improve as we face good competition. The JV really got some of our varsity competitors ready this past season, and they are enjoying a great JV year this year. I trust the same will happen for our JV guys moving into the coming season as well!
Who Can Focus in the Moment?
Moments of Wise Play
Elias Making the Volley Difficult
Elias repeatedly found the same little window when his opponent left an approach shot in the middle of the court. Rather than simply hitting the ball back, Elias used a cutting backhand pass that stayed low and made the volley incredibly difficult to handle. It was a small tactical adjustment, but a really good example of seeing what the opponent was giving him and making the next shot count.
Elias repeatedly found the same little window when his opponent left an approach shot in the middle of the court. Rather than simply hitting the ball back, Elias used a cutting backhand pass that stayed low and made the volley incredibly difficult to handle. It was a small tactical adjustment, but a really good example of seeing what the opponent was giving him and making the next shot count.
Ayden Turning Defense into Offense
Ayden found himself in some long rallies without getting the results he wanted. So he changed the script. When a mid-court ball bounced high, Ayden stepped up and absolutely smashed it with that windmill-like forehand of his. Sometimes the answer isn't to keep doing the same thing and hope for a different result. Ayden recognized his opportunity and tried turning the rallies into an attacking points.
Ayden found himself in some long rallies without getting the results he wanted. So he changed the script. When a mid-court ball bounced high, Ayden stepped up and absolutely smashed it with that windmill-like forehand of his. Sometimes the answer isn't to keep doing the same thing and hope for a different result. Ayden recognized his opportunity and tried turning the rallies into an attacking points.
Judah Ready for the Next Shot
Match point gave us a great example of Judah's ability to adapt. His opponent came forward, and Judah hit a low slice passing shot that caught the tape and bounced up just enough to give his opponent a chance to smash it right back at him. But Judah stayed balanced and ready. When the ball came hard at him, he reflex-volleyed it up the line for the winner. The first shot didn't finish the point, so Judah was prepared to make the next one.
Match point gave us a great example of Judah's ability to adapt. His opponent came forward, and Judah hit a low slice passing shot that caught the tape and bounced up just enough to give his opponent a chance to smash it right back at him. But Judah stayed balanced and ready. When the ball came hard at him, he reflex-volleyed it up the line for the winner. The first shot didn't finish the point, so Judah was prepared to make the next one.
Ethan & Malachi Knowing the Rules
On match point, Ethan and Malachi's opponents changed their call, and Ethan and Malachi knew the rules well enough to recognize that the change meant the point was theirs. It was a brutal way for the match to end, but there was something good about seeing our guys know their rules and understand what was happening in a pressure moment. Sometimes being a good competitor means knowing not only how to play the game, but how the game is supposed to work.
On match point, Ethan and Malachi's opponents changed their call, and Ethan and Malachi knew the rules well enough to recognize that the change meant the point was theirs. It was a brutal way for the match to end, but there was something good about seeing our guys know their rules and understand what was happening in a pressure moment. Sometimes being a good competitor means knowing not only how to play the game, but how the game is supposed to work.
Who Can Have Peace in the Match?
Moments of Belonging and Encouragement
Senior Night
This is the night where we can celebrate all that tennis is about - especially the character and leadership and joy of these players. It was awesome to recognize them, and you can catch their senior statements below.
Who Can Have Joy for the Season?
Moments for Celebration
Leo Calm Under Fire
In the very first game against the JV's best doubles players, Leo had a ball absolutely smashed at him. And somehow, instead of panicking, Leo just calmly stuck out his racket and played the smallest, most nonchalant little backhand drop volley for a winner. The ball came at him with violence; Leo responded with peace. What a fun little tennis moment.
In the very first game against the JV's best doubles players, Leo had a ball absolutely smashed at him. And somehow, instead of panicking, Leo just calmly stuck out his racket and played the smallest, most nonchalant little backhand drop volley for a winner. The ball came at him with violence; Leo responded with peace. What a fun little tennis moment.
Silas “Not Quite.”
Silas and Ender were getting everything their opponents could throw at them. Their opponents were digging in and really trying to push their way to a win. Then Silas unloaded on a forehand right at the net player. The Triton opponent actually got his racket on it, but the sheer force of Silas's shot sent the ball ricocheting far beyond the baseline. A little bit of power, a little bit of chaos, and a lot of fun.
Silas and Ender were getting everything their opponents could throw at them. Their opponents were digging in and really trying to push their way to a win. Then Silas unloaded on a forehand right at the net player. The Triton opponent actually got his racket on it, but the sheer force of Silas's shot sent the ball ricocheting far beyond the baseline. A little bit of power, a little bit of chaos, and a lot of fun.
Josiah S The Three-Lob Point
Josiah S had one of those points that just kept going. He hit a lob. His opponent smashed it back. Josiah lobbed again. The opponent hurried it back. Josiah put up another lob. Three lobs in a row! And every time the pressure came back at him, Josiah simply put up the next ball until, finally, his opponent hit one out. Sometimes tennis is about finding the shot that keeps you in the point — and then finding it one more time.
Josiah S had one of those points that just kept going. He hit a lob. His opponent smashed it back. Josiah lobbed again. The opponent hurried it back. Josiah put up another lob. Three lobs in a row! And every time the pressure came back at him, Josiah simply put up the next ball until, finally, his opponent hit one out. Sometimes tennis is about finding the shot that keeps you in the point — and then finding it one more time.
Awards
Cheerleader: Ethan
Hustle: Leo
Dig Deep: Elias
Over All This is Christ's Love for Us
Moment of Prayer
God, I love these seniors and the culture that have built for the team. May we continue to build one another up in all the ways that we can. May you give us the grace of rest and peace. May we focus on the things that are going so well. Thanks for the love that You give us. Amen.
Scores
Varsity
#1S - Judah Miller - 6-3, 6-1 - Max Ritchison (12)
#2S - Elias Magatti - 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2 - Colton Large (12)
#3S - Aaron Hochstetler - 6-4, 0-6, 3-6 - Levi Mcfarland (11)
#1D - Ethan Claassen/Malachi Yoder - 6-3, 7-6 (5) - Max Johnson (11)/Braydon Nifong (11)
#2D - Lucas Bateman/Jordan Hochstedler - 6-3, 6-2 - Brady Heckaman (11)/Camden Large (10)
Hustle: Leo
Dig Deep: Elias
Over All This is Christ's Love for Us
Moment of Prayer
God, I love these seniors and the culture that have built for the team. May we continue to build one another up in all the ways that we can. May you give us the grace of rest and peace. May we focus on the things that are going so well. Thanks for the love that You give us. Amen.
Scores
Varsity
#1S - Judah Miller - 6-3, 6-1 - Max Ritchison (12)
#2S - Elias Magatti - 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2 - Colton Large (12)
#3S - Aaron Hochstetler - 6-4, 0-6, 3-6 - Levi Mcfarland (11)
#1D - Ethan Claassen/Malachi Yoder - 6-3, 7-6 (5) - Max Johnson (11)/Braydon Nifong (11)
#2D - Lucas Bateman/Jordan Hochstedler - 6-3, 6-2 - Brady Heckaman (11)/Camden Large (10)
Junior Varsity
#1SJV - Isaya Magatti - 2-6 - Clayton Andrews (11)
#2SJV - Ayden Lehman - 3-6 - Landon Grindle (9)
#3SJV - James Weaver - 3-6 - Oliver Ickes (11)
#1DJV - Silas Martin/Ender Finnigan - 6-4 - Aiden Emkow (11)/Kayden Hummitch (11)
#2DJV - Eli Steiner/Sam Brenneman - 6-2 - Jackson Faulkner (11)/Galen Harms (9)
#3DJV - Ethan Miller/Mason Neff - 2-6 - Jackson Faulkner (11)/Galen Harms (9)
#4DJV - Josiah Shue/Leo Schlabach - 1-6 - Aiden Emkow (11)/Kayden Hummitch (11)
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