Regional week….

Having finished 2nd in the conference, Maggie Jermyn was the sole representative in regional play from Southwest, so in earnest, Coach and Maggie met on the court to ready both physically and mentally.  Though an ominous date, at least it wasn't a Friday, therefore nothing to worry against.  It was a medium intensity workout with a bit of running balanced with hitting of the core shots and shot selections.  Coach, happy with the session, sent Maggie on her way to rest for a full day of school and afternoon practice….But…(cue foreboding music)

Maggie had other ideas.  With her tennis playing brother home from App, Sister and Brother headed off for a bit more practice Monday evening….and in finishing off a shot, Maggie came down on her ankle wrong and twisted it. 

Recouping at home on Tuesday and the visit to the doctor that afternoon, Maggie sent word … a high ankle sprain.  The actual medical term eludes me, but the rough latin phrase conveyed to me was “screwus majorus.”  Heffner can assist me with the translation later this week, but it didn’t sound good. 

Our one good hope to go deep in regional action and she is laid up with an injury.  Maggie’s hobbling down the hall didn’t inspire much in coach’s heart. 

Wednesday….no practice
Thursday….no practice
……..evening…
Receiving a phone call the night before Regional action doesn’t normally thrill me, but this one showed promise.  The top singles seed from conference, Ragsdale #1, opted not to play due to an injury….following conference guidelines, the next girl on the list – another one from Ragsdale - was asked…..and declined….My hope rising to a fervor, Sophia Nagy was next on the list…..and she said yes!  Southwest would have two entries into regional play @ Grimsley High School.

Friday comes, Maggie hobbling, but taped up after a visit with Atwood, we head off to regional play.  Maggie, by one lousy vote, was denied the 4th seed of Regional play, but with her and Sophia’s draw secured, we began play.

Sophia began play against a very strong #3 seed from Page.  Holding tough in long rallies, Page girl began to pull out the lead.  Though showing some incredible play in her approaches and net play, Sophia finally succumbed to strength of the Page girl.  Sophia will be all the better next season with the experience today.

Maggie began shortly after Sophia came off.  She was going up against a #4 seed from RJR.  A very tough 4 seed from RJR.  Understand, Maggie, though taped up and Advil flowing freely through her system, was playing injured. 

Game 1…RJR
Game 2…RJR
3…SW
4…RJR
5…SW
6…RJR
7…RJR…
So Maggie, try as she might, didn’t have the hustle of non-injured Maggie, couldn’t pivot, couldn’t launch off in a sprint too well to the backhand nor net, and RJR could see it.  Rally, Rally, out wide to the backhand.  Corner, Corner, drop shot.  Down 5-2, Maggie once more set her resolve.  Playing the corners and hitting down the center of the court on serve, taking away the open court advantage, game…SW.
For the return of serve, Maggie blitzed the girl, complacent with her game, 4 points straight, Game…SW
Maggie once more for serve, from the baseline and on the approach…dropshots, completely confounding RJR with her shot selection and ability to play around her injury…Game…SW. 

Tied 5-5 now.  Coach is beside himself, knowing, that if Maggie could break her here, Mentally that would be it.  RJR, now floundering, began hitting out on every shot…point RJR.  Point RJR.  Point SW.  Point SW.  Point RJR.  Point SW. – deuce

Three long deuce points later, one ad-in, two ad-outs, they change sides, Maggie now up 6-5.

Exasperated, RJR held but a few points while Maggie cruised to a 7-5 victory in the first.

Let me remind the audience, Maggie is playing a very capable RJR player…a fully healthy RJR player…while she herself played injured.

The ankle sore but victory in the air, Maggie had little trouble pushing RJR off her game, finishing her off 6-3 in the second.  Maggie had won, injured, against a great opponent.  She would go on to the second round.

~Intermission~

Resting for a bit, Maggie was eager to continue play so as not to allow her ankle to begin to cool off too much.  Her next opponent was #2 seed in the regional, #1 from Page.  Maggie’s luck ran out.  Try as she might, with the injury looming and Page on her game, Maggie finished her play at Regionals.

Sophia will return to the Cowgirls next year, her senior year, ready to take on the forces of evil across the conference and beyond. 

Maggie finishes her senior year this year with 74 wins in her tennis career at Southwest, 2 conference finals, and 2 regional berths.  With Maggie included, my seniors, their leadership and their extraordinary play will be missed. 



Signing off until next Cowgirl tennis season with game by game updates, victories and stories of unparalleled valor in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. 

Take care of the Ranch until I return and always remember,

“We are Cowboy”