September 12, 2016 – East Forsyth

The coolest day of the season thus far and the ladies on both sides of the courts loved it!

Having not played this conference foe yet this season, I still did not fret for the Cowgirls.  Hannah Gaines, EF #1 and conference champion last year opted not to play for the school this year so EF’s depth was hampered by this development.  Yes, I smile while I type this note.  Hannah was a great competitor, but not having her against us meant no surprises for the Cowgirls.

Kyra Akande #1

Mai Vo #2

Ellen Druebbisch #3

Sam Hamrick #4

Katelyn Leinbach #5

Meghan Whalen #6

Ellen was the first to exit the courts.  Her consistent shots and no nonsense style quickly dismantled her opponents as she walked off in just under 50 minutes. 1 and 1.

Mai finished her opponent in 55 minutes.  Alex was greatly improved over last season and showed her moxie, but it wasn’t enough as Mai moved her effortlessly around the court forcing Alex into less than desirable shots – shots that never quite connected back over the net.  Mai established a good rhythm in her shots and was able to pull away 1 and 1.

We had to wait another 25 minutes for Sam to finish off her opponent.  Exiting in an hour twenty, Sam was able to push her opponent deep to the baseline and then bring her crosscourt multiple times while holding her own against a maturing player.  3 and 0.

Meghan walked off about the same time as Sam.  Playing a relatively newcomer, Meghan was able to impose her will against her opponent and won 2 and 0.

Katelyn had little issue with her opponent.  Though not leaving the courts for an hour thirty-five, a good twenty minutes was sitting and resting from her opponent’s side dur to her being quite under the weather.  Retiring late in the second set, Katelyn posts yet another win 6-3, 5-2 ret – EF.

Kyra had the singles match of the evening.  Playing a burgeoning junior, one that if memory serves the audience, took out Sophia Nagy last year in an incredible match in the conference tourney, Kyra had to fight this evening.  Holding serve on both sides, Kyra received serve at 6-5 Kyra, managing a two point break, Kyra captures the first set 7-5.  Not to be out done, Lola (EF) struck back.  Changing her style a bit, lifting the ball just higher so as to trouble Kyra with her top spin, Lola pounced 6-3 in the second.  The tiebreaker, and honestly, I had a hard time watching it.  It was very good tennis, but of all days, I had forgotten my antacids back in the tennis shed.  Changing back her rally shots, Lola played right into Kyra’s hands.  Kyra pushed her deep, pull her right, left, and even managed a couple of deft drop shots – taking the super 10 tiebreaker 10-5.  A well earned victory for Ms. Akande!

6-0

Dubs

Vo/Druebbisch court 1

Hamrick/Whalen 2

Zakeyia Clarke/Abby Lowe court 3

Vo and Druebbisch, #1 dubs for the Cowgirls, dropped the 1^st game, but quickly getting traction against their opponents, they went up 2-1 and never looked back in their 8-3 victory.

Hamrick/Whalen, playing up since the victory was in hand, had several games to work out the rust and better still, to mesh a bit better together on the court.  A tighter match, Sam and Meghan were able to put 4 games together to distance themselves from their opponents and took the victory 8-5.

Trying to achieve her 2^nd Varisty win, Abby Lowe and partner Zakeyia Clarke took to court #3.  Holding serve until 2-3, 2 games were lost from miscommunication on our side and nice play from the lady Eagles.  Down 2-5 [going to 8], cue the music The Climb, the Cowgirls began to climb back into the match.

3-5

3-6

4-6

4-7

5-7

6-7

6-8

Arg!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Cowgirls fall a few games short of a sweep.  Zakeyia and Abby were commended for their near comeback.

2-1

8-1

The Cowgirls rise to 6-5 on the season and 2-1 in conference play.

We travel to Asheboro tomorrow (rel 3:10) to take on the Lady Comets.

The scores do not show just how much fight the Lady Eagles of East Forsyth showed out on the courts this afternoon/evening.  They are greatly improved over last season and will continue to gain confidence and ability as the season progresses.

Singles

Kyra Akande (SW) over Lola Oduyoye (EF) 7-5, 1-6, 10-5

Mai Vo (SW) over Alex Mock (EF) 6-1, 6-1

Ellen Druebbisch (SW) over Caroline Hughes (EF) 6-1, 6-1

Sam Hamrick (SW) over Kerrigan Shagena (EF) 6-3, 6-0

Katelyn Leinbach (SW) over Rachel Lanier (EF) 6-3, 5-2 ret

Meghan Whalen (SW) over Abbie Broughton (EF) 6-2, 6-0

6-0

dubs

Vo/Druebbisch (SW) over Oduyoye/Mock (EF) 8-3

Hamrick/Whalen (SW) over Hughes/Shagena (EF) 8-5

Broughton/Yannell Ortiz (EF) over Zakeyia Clarke/Abby Lowe (SW) 8-6

2-1

8-1 overall