The Story. - Chapter 19 - Sectional Semi-Final - Bethany Christian v. Bremen

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The Varsity Story 

"Who Can Focus in the Moment?"

Whoa! What an incredible match! Saving set points, saving match points, tiebreaks, third sets, a shift to indoor courts for the first time... this match had a little bit of everything, and the Bruins dealt with it all to secure an nail-biting, joy-inducing 3-2 win!

So often, a tennis match can come down to moments. Big points that swing momentum, small errors that chip away at confidence, little losses of focus that lead to bigger trends. Due to the individual nature of matches, things can switch quickly. Focus and movement are so important!

And what a great job the Bruins did with those moments tonight.

Even in the positions where we couldn't really keep pace with the Lions from Bremen, we brought focus and fight. Judah and Elias at #1S and #2S couldn't really figure out how to hurt their athletic, attacking opponents regularly. Both Bremen players had great touch on their shots and kept the ball low over the net, skidding off the slick surface of the indoor courts. Both Bremen singles players gave very little away in terms of errors or double faults. This made it really difficult to find consistent paths to winning games. Elias was constantly in every game, but couldn't convert the final points. Judah found himself in similar positions. Both players continued to give their effort, Judah sliding around the court trying to pick up volleys and make his opponent hit another ball. Both tried various strategies and mindsets, but they couldn't string together the points needed.

So they were depending on their teammates to win the matches, because after #1S and #2S the Bruins trailed 2-0 in the team score.

The doubles matches were both very competitive and very fun! Malachi and Ethan started off a little sloppy, but as has been their pattern, they cleaned it up pretty quickly. Then they jumped out to a lead in the set and took it. But the second set started a little slow for them, and their opponents really picked it up a notch. You could tell that the Bremen players were fired up to try and change the course of the match. The Lions served really well and began to make the points last a bit longer, cutting down their errors and going for a little less power. We had to match the consistency and the focus of the Lions, because the longer points required it. Games tightened and the Lions actually had points to take the second set. But again, the Bruins found their best tennis under the pressure, and reeled off 3 straight games to win the set and the match.

Meanwhile, the Bruins #2D team was trying to find their consistency. The team was plagued by the disease of great shot followed by a shanked shot, and in the big moments of the first set, we played tentative and nervous. That brought errors and Lucas and Jordan dropped the first set. With no more margin for error, the Bruins took the lead in the second set, serving for the set twice but dropping those games each time. When we would get in winning positions, our feet would freeze up. But from losing positions, we kept making the plays. Several times in the set we trailed in a game love-40 and came back to win it. 

I guess this pattern ended up serving us well, because we found ourselves trailing in a tiebreak that we had to win to keep the match alive. Trailing 4-3, Jordan and Lucas played a couple of excellent points, but then made a couple of return errors. Now the score was 6-5, and we were down a match point. But under the pressure, #2D's came through! They saved the match point, then had set points of their own! It took them 3 tries, but Jordan and Lucas clinched the set eventually and sent the match to a third.

In the third, they broke immediately to take a nice lead. Service games had been a bit nervy for the Bruins, but Lucas served a great game with several big first serves to consolidate our break and put us up 2-0. Then the Lions held making Jordan's next service game a big one. It was one of the most tense of the match, multiple deuces and ads going either way. In the end, the Bruins held for a 3-1 lead. We followed it up with another break of serve and pushed the lead all the way to 5-1. Closing it out required us to conquer our nerves again, but the Bruins got over the finish line with a big win under pressure!

With the team match now tied at 2-2, attention shifted to #3S, where Aaron was playing his best tennis of the season. Aaron was really locked in, giving all his energy to returning his opponent's big serve and then finding opportunities to attack. Sometimes this match looked like "traditional" #3S, where points are long and the shots are looped centrally to prevent errors and force the other player to do something. But much of the match was determined by who was attacking. The Bremen player was similar to the other Lion singles - tall, athletic, and really good at the net. The main difference tonight was that Aaron was able to draw some errors.

In the first set, Aaron's smart attacking earned him a lot of wayward shots and opportunities to put the ball away. Aaron took the first set, putting the Bruins one set from a comeback victory. In the second, his opponent strengthened his own attacking play, and made less errors. This just made for an epic set, with both players playing well. Aaron took the lead 4-3, then with the chance to finish out the set, he dropped both games. He picked up the energy and won two tight games to take the lead 6-5 with a chance to serve it out. But the nerves came and his opponent found the openings, and the second set went to a tiebreak. Aaron trailed the whole tiebreak, but then tied it up a 6. But a good lob and a deep return gave the two points to Bremen, and suddenly we were in a third set, with everything on the line.

Aaron and I conferenced. We still just needed one more set. He still was playing his best tennis. The biggest thing was to find energy, even if he had to fake it. He had to believe too, and I encouraged him to focus on every point, telling himself that he can do it. 

And, wow, did he ever. 

Aaron came out in the decisive set with energy and focus. Despite the late hour and the energy he'd spent, he looked fresh. He went right back to what was working and won the first 5 games of the set. After having a match point on his opponent's serve at 5-0, he had several chances to win it in his service game, up 5-1. As his opponent approached the net on the final match point, Aaron curled a forehand at his feet, and the resulting volley sailed long, giving the Bruins their third team position and a win!

The team stormed over to Aaron after he shook hands with his opponent. He was tired and happy. The Bruins had proved that in all the different moments, we can focus in each one. Now we're on to the Sectional final. It was a great night!

Let's go Bruins!

Who Can Focus in the Moment?
Moments of Wise Play

Energy in a Third Set

The most important thing in a third set is to bring confident energy. Of course, by the time you get to a third set you don't feel that energy. You either spent a lot of energy to stave off elimination by winning the second set, or you just went through the disappointment of not winning the match in two sets. Both things steal your energy. But the important thing to note is that both things take your energy... in other words, both players are feeling the lull. So, even if you have to fake it, you show energy. Aaron did that tonight. After a disappointing second set, he regrouped and went out with belief into the third set. He handled himself wisely.

Who Can Have Peace in the Match?

Moments of Belonging and Encouragement

Team Support (Including So Many of Our JV!)

Last night, so many of our players were there to cheer on their teammates. That's awesome, because even though its the seven varsity players who play for the Sectional title, it's all of their teammates who have helped them get ready for this opportunity. Each varsity win is actually a win of the whole team, just as each JV triumph doesn't happen without the varsity encouragement and days teaching, hitting and just being with their teammates. Loved seeing everyone who was there to cheer, encourage, and celebrate with us.

Who Can Have Joy for the Season?
Moments for Celebration

Big Points Played Just Like Practice

Tonight, on the big points, I saw our practices on display. Sometimes, it wasn't in a great way, like when we watched a lob go over our head instead of sprinting back behind it. Or when we weren't prepared to get forward to low balls in front of us, because we're used to letting them double bounce in warmups. But most of the time, on the big points, I saw the fruits of our practice time. Our overheads were way above average, providing moments of strength at each position. On big points, we went for it and it paid off. And then there was the 3/4 court shot that won the match for Aaron, a shot that we often practice during our hitting series. The ball was hit at an awkward low spot for Aaron, and he swept it to his opponents feet, just like we practice most days. These things help us in the big moments!

Awards

Cheerleader: The Whole Team
Hustle: Aaron
Dig Deep: Aaron, Lucas, Jordan

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

God, whew! It was a long, late night. We enjoyed watching players perform under pressure. But help us also realize that we can be content in all things. Had points gone the other way, had we not been at our best, had we made a mistake instead of a winner - we'd still be loved. There are so many true and beautiful things in our world, and winning is not really high up on the list. It's fun, and we're grateful, but You give us so much more. We are grateful that it is not what we accomplish, but that we are Your beloved. In Jesus name, amen.

Scores
Varsity

#1S - Judah Miller - 1-6, 1-6 - Chase Devine (12)

#2S - Elias Magatti - 0-6, 0-6 - Bryce Miller (12)

#3S - Aaron Hochstetler - 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 - Riley Tener (12)

#1D - Ethan Claassen/Malachi Yoder - 6-3, 7-5 - David Monesmith (12)/Beck Barnes (10)

#2D - Lucas Bateman/Jordan Hochstedler - 3-6, 7-6 (8), 6-3 - Nicolas Stiles (12)/Lincoln Heiter (12)