Sept 20 2021

Cowgirls host the Lady Hornets of Western Guilford – conference W Tennis
 

Cooler than the first time we played.  Coach and the Ladi4es were happy with the weather.

Coming in a +1/+2 to Western’s Line-up, Coach was confident in the Cowgirls play to overcome the Lady Hornets and move their win loss record back towards the positive.  The main goal tonight was for the Cowgirls to better their performance against their previous benchmark…in short, Coach wanted to see grow in shots, shot selection, footwork and play.

And he was not disappointed.

Audrey Serb continued her perfect record against Brooke (WG #1) coming out strong in the first 6-0 allowing only 7 points to the Lady Hornet and finishing strong 6-2 as Audrey was trying something different with her serve.  6-0,6-2…an improvement of 1 game over her opponent.

Tran showed no mercy, blitzing the Lady Hornet 0 and 0 in 43 minutes.  An improvement of 2 games over her last effort.

Remembering Grace and Lauren swapped for seeds, Lauren played up a seed to her opponent from last time.  Winning 7-5, 6-1, controlling the power and gaining footing in the first, coming back from a break to break her opponent and outlast her to the finish, Lauren, now more so confident in her own play, was able to push her opponent at her will and won the second 6-1.  7-5, 6-1.  Well done.

Grace, Queen of the third set, set a soon to be broken record of 2 hrs 11 mins against the #3 from Western the first time she played them, looked like she was in the grips of this accursed destiny once more…taking 1 hr 15 mins to trudge through the first set, but gaining confidence in her shot selection and depth of shot towards the end of the 1^st, upon turning the corner into the second set, went on a tear, allowing the Lady Hornet only one service hold, Grace, through incredible angles and good play, took the rest of the 6 games breaking the curse of the three setter by gaining victory in only 2 sets.  Coach, mom and dad, and her fellow teammates, breathed a sigh of relief knowing tonight would be a shorter night, even with the addition of dubs play.

Anna battled beautifully.  Growing by leaps and bounds over this first half of the season, previously her mark was 6-2, 6-4, but gaining two new shots, a backspin forehand and a shorty (pull them up to the net)…this coupled with her already steadfast placement ability, Anna rolled her opponent 0 and 0.  Yeah!  The WG opponent was quality, but the elevation of Anna’s game was the difference maker on court 5. 

Kate, was coming off of an emotional weekend and needed to stretch her legs and shots in match play.  Though winning in an epic (‘ally long and stress filled) game last time, tonight’s play was much more controlled and confident.  Though shots persisted toward the middle of the court for some shots, Kate began to push ( I know!  Kate pushed a player…so happy!) her opponent into taking a step or two to the sides and even towards the net.  This is a far cry from Kate’s previous play of hitting towards the middle and praying. 

Holding tight with her opponent on serve, Kate was able to break her opponent’s serve at 5-4 to take the first set.  Emboldened by this success and continuing shot confidence, Kate continued to press…and win.  No three setter for Kate today.  Kate is victorious 6-4, 6-2.  😊

Taking singles 6-0 over the Lady Hornets, Coach changed the line up to better challenge the Cowgirls in dubs.

Audrey out, Tran out

Grace partnered with Anna.  Lauren stayed with Rachael Dee.  And back into the line-up, Betsy Chen and Bella Johnson.

Grace and Anna focused all their shots towards River…the Number 2.  This wasn’t because River was a bad player, no!  She just wasn’t WG’s #1 player Brooke.  Finding success and holding on serve, Brooke began her breakout game.  Running to cover more of the court as she minimalized River’s role, Court 1 began to resemble Canadian Dubs (1 on 2 players).  …and Brooke found her shots.  Though not always successful with her shots, this raising of her game with the contributions of River was enough to shut the Cowgirls down.  4-8.

Playing up on court 2, Lauren and Rachael had their hands full.  In dubs, it is about shots and cohesiveness of play…the two players become as 1.  Moments of glory with some great shots played from both sides, the Cowgirls, initially down a break, were able to come back, play their game, present well at the net, earn the break back and break the Lady Hornets once more.  Up 6-5 was as much as the Cowgirls could muster with their forward progression.  The Hornets began dominating net play, cutting off the crosscourts and playing as a team v as two individuals.  In a well-played match on court 2, the Lady Hornets simply came out on top.

Court three was a different story.  Betsy and Bella worked their way through the first half of the pro-set.  Still on serve, these two Cowgirls began hitting their alleys and successful lifting the ball above the net player.  Pulling their opponents out wider and simply hitting better shots, court 3 turned to Cowgirl advantage.  8-6 the final score.  Another point to tally in the match score between these two teams.

Cowgirls win 7-2 showing an improvement of shot selection and mental sharpness while out on the court.

Cowgirls improve to 4-5 in conference and 5-6 overall

Cowgirls travel to Northern on Wednesday weather permitting and will play host to Bishop McGuiness on Thursday. 

Audrey Serb (SW) over Brook Henley (WG) 6-0, 6-2

Tran Nguyen (SW) over River award (WG) 6-0,6-0

Lauren Harris (SW) over Anna Woods (WG) 7-5,6-1

Grace Parsons (SW) over Ailish Flaherty (WG) 7-5,6-1

Anna McGinnis (SW) over Caroline Allen (WG) 6-0,6-0

Kate Cherry (SW) over Maggie Scott (WG) 6-4,6-2

6-0 after singles

Henley/ward (WG) over Parsons/McGinnis (SW) 8-4

Woods/Allen (WG) over Harris/Rachael Dee (SW) 8-6

Betsy Chen/Bella Johnson (SW) over Scott/Nadia Ghergie(WG) 8-6

Cowgirls over the lady hornets 7-2 in conf tennis action.

Cowgirls travel to Northen Guilford on Wednesday and play host to BMHS on Thursday.

Cowgirls claw back to 4-5, 5-6 on the season.