The Story - Chapter 9 - Bethany Christian v. NorthWood

Photos from the Night

Awesome pictures taken by the team...

Video Highlights

Coming soon!

The Varsity Story 

“Whatever is True, Whatever is Noble"

This match was incredibly impressive from the Bruins, up and down the lineup. Each matchup saw our BC tennis brothers come under some type of pressure, and in each match we were able to respond. There were so many impressive twists and turns that I'm sure I'll miss some of them, but I am really proud of the Bruins.

We'll start at #1S, I suppose. This was the first match to finish. Judah started the match in a very reactive mode, his feet moving quickly but after the ball was struck. And his opponent was firing away, playing some excellent tennis and making very few errors. Judah quickly trailed 2-1 and then 3-2 in the first set. But he slowly turned things around, all starting from the quality of his movement and attention. He stopped expecting shots to go out, and just prepared to play every ball. This propelled him into some stellar tennis, in his style of true variety. He won the final 4 games of the first set and then went up 2-0 in the second. His opponent responded really well, raising the level and coming back with aggressive. But Judah found the extra gear again as well, moving his way to a two set victory.

Next off the courts was #2D. Jordan and Lucas had played a really solid match. They kept their noses just in front through a very tight first set, but never really getting anything more than a one game lead. The match stayed close and moved to a set tiebreak. Heading into it, we talked quickly about a two word key for them "Activity and Control." Using those as a guideline, they really found their form and confidence in the tiebreak. Winning it, we quickly regrouped and remembered the importance of coming out strong in the second set. With activity and control, mixing things up and challenging their opponents with more than just power, they took the first multiple game lead of the match and won the set 6-2.

The final three matches on court still had a long way to go, but the Bruins were starting to show that we were responding in pressure situations. 

The clinching point for the win came from Elias at #2S. He had a huge moment of pressure himself, winning a back and forth, seesawing first set by winning a tiebreak. Moving into that tiebreak, the word for Elias had been concentrating all the way to the final ball of a rally. In his match, whoever stayed locked in was winning the big points. And it was the big points that was deciding the match. They each were kind of playing random errors, then the game would get to deuce, and then someone would lock in. In the tiebreak, Elias trailed, but then locked in. He used his strengths and drove the ball to the back of the court. He used his volley and overhead to knock off some momentum gathering shots. He won the set.

In the second set, his energy left. It was if he'd used his focus to get the first tiebreak and had nothing left. But to his credit, he soon found it again. Trailing 4-1, Elias reeled off 4 games of his own to take a 5-4 lead. To be honest, this was his best stretch of tennis. Confident, loose, and active. Here, the games weren't even making it to deuce. But he couldn't get over the line for the set, and it went to 5-5. The next two games were incredibly tight, long deuce games where both players were nervous. But Elias locked in again on what he needed to do - use his strengths, finish the point. In the end, he got there, giving the Bruins the third point and the team victory.

In the time Elias was playing his two set match, our #1D team was embroiled in a tight 3 set match. Maybe that was because we had played a poor first set that raced by us. The Panther seniors had come out full of fire and incredible tennis, and taken the first set from us 6-1. We started the second with some new tactics, not just relying on outhitting our opponents, but using variety and control. Trying to be smart and aggressive. Much like the #2D's first set, this second set for Ethan and Malachi saw us just keeping our noses in front, always flipping the score card for us to have a one game lead. Near the end of the set, I encouraged them to step it up. They did and they took the set. 

The third set then continued the same way, Malachi and Ethan always just barely in the lead. But with control at the net and the right amount of touch and guile, they pulled off the three set victory.

That left Aaron playing at #3S. He had an incredible matches, long points full of lots of drama. He continues to play his best when he just plays. In this one, he took the first set, but then did the slow crawl on the scoreboard like everyone else, a game ahead and then a game behind. And so on... until his final set arrived at a tiebreak. In the tiebreak, Aaron led early, but then trailed 6-4 as his opponent racked up two chances to win the set. Instead, Aaron saved the points, then took his own lead, then sealed the set with an 8-6 tiebreak victory.

So close exciting matches that the Bruins played. And in the tight, tense moments we seemed to stay focused on what was good. That's so key. It's also something that is encouraged by our team verse in Philippians... "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." 

In the big moments, you want to remember what can happen. What you can do. What your plan is and why that is excellent. That clear headed focus can simplify things, and make it easier to be aggressive. We did that in so many places in this match!

The JV Story

Once again, I can say that our JV matches are absolutely full of drama and excitement! The most dramatic match was the first one on, Isaya playing at #1SJV. Playing a NorthWood #1SJV player who had mostly played varsity this season, Isaya saw the match go back and forth. In the end, it ended in a tiebreak. Isaya was playing consistently, but he certainly still had his attacking shots. In fact, he ended the match with a winner that was an amazing volley. It was a great tiebreak and way to start the JV match.

Silas and Josiah AC also played amazing tennis tonight. Silas served so well, and they were able to put away a lot of shots at the net. A third win came from Josiah S. His consistency made his singles match go completely smoothly. He got the shots back and allowed for errors. 

Unfortunately those were the three wins for the Bruins on JV. And unfortunately, I didn't get that much time to watch many of the matches as the were on at the same time as the varsity. 

Who Can Focus in the Moment?
Moments of Wise Play

Coming soon...

Who Can Have Peace in the Match?

Moments of Belonging and Encouragement

So Much Encouragement

In a close match, where there are cheers on every point, it's always great to have a team that is engaged and paying attention. I loved seeing the guys who had finished their matches scampering between the ones that were yet to finish. They were going from Ender and Sam's match in one corner of the complex to Aaron's match in the complete opposite corner. At the end, we all sat and rooted for our team in the last match on court. Even though we didn't get the win in that last match, we did take the encouragement to go comfort our teammates as they came off. It was a good vibe tonight!

Who Can Have Joy for the Season?
Moments for Celebration

Isaya's Match Point

In a tense tiebreak, Isaya found himself with the first match point. After trading some groundstrokes, the ball was dropped in front of Isaya. He had to sprint forward, scoop up the ball, and he got to it. But his desperate scoop popped up a bit to his opponent. His opponent smoked the ball straight at Isaya. Isaya is an awesome volleyer, and it paid off here. He stuck out with racket for a backhand volley, and reflexes allowed him to angle away an awesome winner! Isaya threw a fist in the air as everyone cheered for his awesome match!

Awards

Cheerleader: Ender
Hustle: Malachi
Dig Deep: Isaya

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

God,  I leave this match really happy for our team, but also really tired. Late nights continue to work against us :-) Keep us safe, keep us looking for the good. In Jesus name, amen.

Scores
Varsity
#1S - Judah Miller - 6-3, 6-2 - Nolan Tompos (12)
#2S - Elias Magatti - 7-6 (4), 7-5 - Carter Rose (10)
#3S - Aaron Hochstetler - 6-4, 7-6 (6) - Jack Johnson (11)
#1D - Ethan Claassen/Malachi Yoder - 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 - Eli Heckathorn (12)/Ethan Tompos (12)
#2D - Lucas Bateman/Jordan Hochstedler - 7-6 (3), 6-2 - Sebastian Chapman (12)/Colton Ewers (11)

Junior Varsity

#1SJV - Isaya Magatti - 9-8 (5) - Aiden McEndarfer (12)

#2SJV - Eli Steiner - 0-8 - Jackson Kemp (11)

#3SJV - Ayden Lehman - 4-8 - Nerick Sanchez (12)

#4SJV - Josiah Shue - 8-0 - Scott Bushnell (10)

#1DJV - Silas Martin/Josiah Aguilar Clark - 8-1 - Brody Freeland (11)/Sawyer Love (11)

#2DJV - Ender Finnigan/Sam Brenneman - 7-9 - Aiden McEndarfer (12)/Nerick Sanchez (12)

#3DJV - Ethan Miller/James Weaver - 1-8 - Brinqley Parvu-Timmer (11)/Robbie Yoder (10)

#4DJV - Josiah Shue/Leo Schlabach - 2-8 - Jackson Kemp (11)/Sawyer Love (11)