Cowgirls over cross-town rivals, the Lady Bison of HPC 9-0 in non-conf tennis action

So, there was a mouse.

A small, brown mouse in fact who has so quietly taken up residence inside of bus 8040.

The ladies apparently scared the poor little mouse with their laughter, chatting and once they saw the furry, their collective scream. 

ALL the ladies on the seats of the bus reminded me of old Tom and Jerry cartoons and the lady of the house on top a chair asking Tom to catch the mouse…..Coach’s new name is Tom.

Cornered in the back right side of the bus, I opened the back door to allow the critter to escape…..nope, it had other plans.  It began a dash to the front of the bus along the wall.

At once Coach shut the rear door and ran to main bus entrance ready to scoop it up or hasten its exit from the bus….bus no critter ever ventured to the front.  Like magic, it disappeared.  David Copperfield would have given a nod of respect for the perfection of such an act.

Tom, er, Coach can only surmise the little one found refuge in either the heating vents or clamored up the wheel well and into the seat cushion directly above.

……..

Finally calmed down without a sighting of our new mascot, the ladies settled down and we were able to leave for HPC.  This adventure put us 15 minutes behind schedule.  Thank goodness HPC is only 8 miles away across the great metropolis of High Point.

Having played and been witness to the relative strengths and opportunities the Lady Bison offered, Coach went deep into the roster…allowing only one Cowgirl both singles and dubs duty.

Audrey repeated as #1 from the last time the Cowgirls played the Lady Bison.  This was a true testament to the relative strength of Mallory Cook (yes!  Michelle’s Daughter!) of the Bison.  Though Coach had great faith in Lauren and Anna both, Audrey would offer a turn-key win service and talent holder for the rest of the line-up.  Mallory held where she could even taking a few points along the way.  She hustled, dug, and returned well, simply her play was overshadowed by the game Audrey brought today.  Audrey takes the win, 0 and 0.

Anna moved to court 2 sitting Lauren for dubs action.  Lauren had won this court previously in a hard-fought match taking it out to and winning the 3^rd set tiebreaker in dramatic fashion.  Anna apparently skipped that mini lesson and went straight to winning against the Bison #2.  Ms. Boger ran well and covered the court, but Anna’s shots consisted of baseline rallies coupled with keen drop shots today causing much strife to the Lady Bison.  Unable to anticipate or adjust readily, Anna cruised to a 0 and 1 victory.

Rachael and Betsy sat for Dubs.

Jada Speight played #3 against a spirited Lady Bison names Madison.  Madison had good, deep and elevated shots.  Jada adjusted and was forced to simply be more consistent instead of hitting her shots throughout the first set.  Individual games scores were tight, but Jada seemed to have the advantage.  Increasing her run and hitting prowess, Jada was able to adjust to the higher ball and push her game upon Madison in the second.  In short, Jada was more consistent for the duration for the match duration.  It was found out later that Madison had only rejoined the Bison this week after a prolonged absence.  She will be quite the formidable player at #3 in future play this season.  Jada takes the match 1 and 0.

Caroline Church took Court 4 in similar fashion to Jada.  The word of the day was consistency along courts 3, 4, 5, and 6.  Caroline hit deep to the Bison #4 and successfully rallied a few more times before the Lady Bison would make a mistake allowing Caroline the opportunity hit the ball out of the opponent’s reach.  Serves were good and Caroline’s movement was beautiful as she hastened her steps in quick anticipation of the errant and shorter shots.  Though hitting a few longer than needed, Church found her mark allowing the Lady Bison either limited shot choices or an out right passing shot.  Caroline cruises 0 and 0.

Tamara Davis, just outside the top six, took the opportunity to play and chose singles.  So Court 5 for the Cowgirls was Ms Davis.  Tamara had a easy time with most of her shots.  The slower play allowed her to develop the rallies and push her opponent into her game style of play.  The Bison was out matched.  No blazing power bursts of lightening strikes were evident, simply Tamara played her game and her consistency was enough to rout the Lady Bison 1 and 0.

Third time must be the charm.  Keri tried to gain her varsity letter v Western and, though playing well, came up short.  So too for her time against SE Guilford.  But tonight, Keri earns her Varsity letter with a win against the Bison.  Cleary she was right on the cusp of the win all along.  Much like Tamara’s game, the outcome was directly related to the players’ ability to keep the ball in play.  Not playing a opponent with a wick serve and forehand allowed Keri to better gauge her hitting.  Keeping the racquet more so parallel to the net on her returns and general play, Keri kept the ball in play.  Serves were in and deep enough allowing for additional pressure to mount against the Lady Bison.  This was all it took as Keri takes her first Varsity win 0 and 1.

Sitting Audrey, Anna took Lauren as her partner.  Though coach would have liked to see Betsy and Rachael against the Bison duo of Cook and Boger, Coach more so needed to see Lauren’s form returned in a less stressful dubs match with a friend.  Though dropping the first game of the pro-8, Lauren and Anna began talking, easing each other’s concerns, and hitting their shots.  Anna’s game remained strong.  Lauren’s forehand found fertile soil both down the line and cross court.  Movement and anticipation went well for the Cowgirls as they held their own serve while breaking the Bison of theirs for the next 8 games.  8-1.

Rachael and Betsy re-enter the line-up for dubs.  Taking on the Lady Bison #3/6 duo, the Cowgirls played it straight and aggressive.  Moving up to the ball and allow limited quarter, the Cowgirls duo made short work of the Lady Bison by solid hitting and impressing their game upon their opponents.  Unable to adequately respond, Rachael and Betsy take the match 8-0.

Having sat Audrey, Jada and Church for dubs play allowed for a emerging dubs team of Caroline Christman and Bella Johnson.  Christman (1^st yr) and Bella (2^nd yr) kept their serve throughout and was able to break the Lady Bison twice to take the match.  Movement was sufficient concerning their opponents, but their hitting really outmatched the Lady Bison thus quickening the win in their favor.  Serves….we need to work on serves.  But play was good overall.  Christman and Bella took the match 8-2.

Cowgirls over the Lady Bison 9-0 in non-conference tennis action.

Singles

Audrey Serb (SW) over Mallory Cook (HPC) 6-0, 6-0

Anna McGinnis (SW) over Caroline Boger (HPC) 6-0, 6-1

Jada Speight (SW) over Madison Monroe (HPC) 6-1, 6-0

Caroline Church (SW) over Jillian Turner (HPC) 6-0, 6-0

Tamara Davis (SW) over Eleanor Ilderton (HPC) 6-1, 6-0

Keri McFeeley (SW) over Raegan Bonsall (HPC) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles

Harris/McGinnis (SW) over Cook/Boger (HPC) 8-1

Dee/Chen (SW) over Monroe/Bonsall (HPC) 8-0

Johnson/Christman (SW) over Ilderton/Sutherby (HPC) 8-2

HPC remains 3-1 in conf, falls to 3-3 overall

SW remains 3-2 in conference and rises to 6-3 overall

SW will host Ragsdale at home on Thursday