The Story - Chapter 13 - Bethany Christian v. Jimtown

 Video Highlights

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The Varsity Story 

"The Challenge Ahead"

It rained all morning and the chances for this match looked bleak, but around 2:00 everything cleared off, the courts dried, and we took on the Jimmies at 5:00. 

Jimtown has not had the strongest of seasons, and unfortunately they were missing two of their players today. But the Bruins had a test of focus ahead of them. We have played some really good matches. We just won three nail-biters in the last week. Now, can we stay focused on getting better and preparing ourselves for the challenge of Sectional.

At the beginning of our matches last night, the answer seemed to be no. The day was humid, we've had a long week with lots of emotionally draining tennis, and most positions started out real sluggish. One definite exception to that was Aaron at #3S. He had a lot of pep, coming off what was some of his best tennis of the season at Blackhawk. Using a similar strategy and playing with a lot of belief and energy, he worked the points, used depth and attack with masterful effect, getting ahead quickly and sealing at 6-0, 6-0 win.

But at all the other positions, we looked flat on our feet. But this is where I love having a year long theme. Way back at camp we learned that difficulty is an opportunity to grow, and that coming back at it is maybe the thing most worth celebrating. After some encouragement at the fence, all of the positions picked up their energy - especially in our feet. We could suddenly hear the shuffles and sprint steps and adjustment steps as we lined up our shots and hit to our spots.

Elias was a great example of this. After a 3-2 start, he shifted into a great mode. He attacked the net a bit more, his shots became a bit more like darts, and he locked in on an excellent lob. And he won the next 10 games to close out his match.

The doubles were a similar story. If we served well, our service games set us up for some easy finishes. As long as we moved our feet to get into position for those finishes, it was simple and straightforward. On return, we were tempted to try to end the point in one shot. But when we brought that temptation under control and set ourselves up instead of trying to finish too big, we ended up drawing weak shots that we could finish on the next ball. That's what good doubles looks like, you make it simple rather than heroic. You finish simply. Our teams fought their way through their sluggishness and found their way back to this simple formula. Games were close at the beginning of the match, going to deuce and fighting off break points. By the end of the matches, we were getting through games much more easily. Two more victories there gave us the team points needed for the match win.

Judah had the longest match of the night, playing a Jimtown player for the third year in a row. The Jimtown #1 player entered this match with an 8-5 record on the season, so a very good player. He always fights hard and challenges with his consistency. Judah knew the challenge ahead of him. Judah had to work through some nerves at the beginning of the match. But soon he had pulled ahead in the first set, forcing errors and finding ways to finish the big points.

In the second set, Judah found himself trailing by a game throughout most of the set. He would grab the lead in every game, but then find himself back at deuce. Daniel challenged him to be brave in the finishing points, and he did, taking a 5-4 lead. But his opponent picked up his focus, locked in to not making errors and drew level. But Judah was brave again, and took the 6-5 lead with some great points. This time, he got out to a lead in the final game, and continued to hit the ball deep in the court to force difficult returns. On the last point, a Jimmie forehand sailed long to give Judah the victory.

And so, the team score was 5-0. But this match really was the first step on the challenge that lies ahead for the Bruins. How are we going to approach the final stretch of the season? Will we be content with where we are? Will we push ahead with focus to continue our growth? 

Tonight was a great first step.

Let's go Bruins!

The JV Story

There was no official JV match tonight, but the JV players played intra-squad matches. The senior doubles players team up to play against a couple of their teammates, and the result was a lot of great points. Ender and Silas have really relaxed into some of their best tennis at the end of the season here. It feels like they've been able to enjoy the good a lot recently. They played some brilliant points where the ball really pinged back and forth at the net.

And Ayden and Eli continued their longstanding match. They've played several times throughout the season and it always is close and we can hardly ever get it finished. Both players have hustle, good hands, consistence, but it seems like neither can ever put the other one away.

Josiah S and Ethan M played the best tennis I've ever seen them play. Ethan was flying around, getting himself into the right positions early and hitting the best strokes I've seen. He's really good at taking instruction and then moving toward that. Josiah had some big forehands going, but consistency is again his game. They went to a tiebreak at the end of their set, and that was fun.

Leo is improving by leaps and bounds and he took on James, as James continues to figure out singles. Leo's movement and preparation for the shot is so much better over the course of this week, but James has the edge when it comes to consistency and the type of shot he hits. 

Other matches were great, and we just had a lot of fun together attempting new things in this sport we love. I absolutely loved watching the play, and hated to tell everyone to stop when it was time to eat some tacos... but I think everyone was glad to have tacos. Who isn't? 😀

Who Can Focus in the Moment?
Moments of Wise Play

Judah's Simple Volley

Judah had a lot of pressure points in his match. He was playing an opponent who had great anticipation and was always making Judah hit one more ball to finish the point. This was especially true when Judah came to the net. But in the second set, under a lot of game pressure, Judah was able to figure out the wise play against someone with anticipation. The best play? To hit the ball where they just were. Judah volleyed to his opponent's backhand side, and he scrambled up to scoop the backhand low over the net at Judah. This meant his forehand corner was open. And normally, people would go to that side. But Judah's opponent new that, and the Jimmie's #1 was already recovering toward that part of the court. So Judah sent the volley, simple and solid, back behind him into the backhand corner again. A wise play!

Who Can Have Peace in the Match?

Moments of Belonging and Encouragement

Because Jimtown didn't have a JV, we played matches against one another again... and they were awesome, and our teammates were watching and cheering. It was really a fun time to watch Josiah and Ethan both have people cheering them on in the tiebreak. Or people calling out encouragement to Ayden, and then continuing right on to cheer for his opponent in this one - Eli. I like what this team continues to build when it comes to encouragement. 

Who Can Have Joy for the Season?
Moments for Celebration

Awards

Cheerleader: So Many!
Hustle: Ethan M
Dig Deep: Judah

Over All This is Christ's Love for Us
Moment of Prayer

God, I'm grateful for nights like these. Where we are able to pull ahead and have an easier victory. Where we are able to focus on improvement and how much better everyone is becoming. Where You shine through in the people who are displaying the fruits of Your Spirit.

Scores
Varsity

#1S - Judah Miller - 6-1, 7-5 - Carson Gingerich (12)

#2S - Isaya Magatti - 6-2, 6-0 - Colten Allen (12)

#3S - Aaron Hochstetler - 6-0, 6-0 - Alex Pyfer (10)

#1D - Ethan Claassen/Malachi Yoder - 6-0, 6-0 - ?? Maybe... Kemper Garver/Jacob Anthony 

#2D - Lucas Bateman/Jordan Hochstedler - 6-0, 6-0 - ?? Maybe... Charlie Wright/Connor Fawson