September 21, 2016 – Glenn      

Cowgirls traveling to Glenn HS, home of the Lady Bobcats, for tennis action

Now on the last leg of the conference season, we begin playing each conference opponent once more.

Kyra Akande – Court 1

Mai Vo – Court 2

Katelyn Leinbach – Court 3

Meghan Whalen – Court 4

Ansley Hampton – Court 5

Holly Galvan – Court 6

With Ellen still out with a swollen ankle and top six regular Sam out for feeling a bit under the weather today, the Cowgirls, having beaten Glenn 9-0 last time, I decided to play even a more adjusted line-up to give some of the lower seed players an opportunity to letter this year.

In light of impending weather, both coaches agreed to play a pro-8 for both singles and doubles.

Meghan was the first off the courts.  Having had quite the time with her Lady Bison opponent on Monday, I allowed Meghan to play against more of a pusher than a striker to force Meghan to generate her own spin.  In this more controlled environment, Meghan had little issue dispelling her opponent 8-0.

Katelyn, also playing up in preparation of conference tournament, came off the starting line a bit slower, but up 3-2, was able to complete the pro-8 in the next 5 games.  Playing a very consistent game, Katelyn’s game found few errors in her mid match route. 

Mai won 8-1 with a myriad of shots in response to her opponent’s not so great return shots across the net.  Mai forced her opponent deep and just as quickly, brought her in and then wide to take the majority of her points.  Ms White – Lady Bobcat – to her credit, ran very well in pursuit of a good many of the points, but was not able to track them down as effectively as Mai delivered them. 

Kyra, relaxed and more so in charge of the play, had little issue in her serve and subsequent play.  The Lady Bobcat could do little against Kyra’s big shots managing only a few quality returns from shots received.  Today, Kyra played her game.

Ansley and Holly both had the joy of playing up in the top six singles for the first time this season if memory serves.  Bobcat coach, short 2 of his regulars, placed two of the newer players in the lineup.  In turn, I placed two of my newer players in hopes of allowing for a quality match.  Though the results favored the Cowgirls, both Holly and Ansley held their own, were able to help develop some of their tennis sisters, and came away with Varsity wins for each. 

Singles results 6-0 SW

Court 1 – Leinbach/Whalen

Court 2 – Kristen Taylor/Abby Lowe

Court 3 – Johaina Apolinario/Linsie Ravel

Wanting to challenge both Leinbach and Whalen a bit more, I surmised this was the opportunity to do so.  Though Glenn is talented team, they have a few years to go in catching up with the depth of the Cowgirls.  Leinbach and Whalen started slowly.  Struggling at the net while their opponents played from the baseline – down 2-3 – I kindly suggested they two play from the baseline also.  Though a doubles team, one up and one back is not always the answer - there are many ways to play the game.  A few missed communicated shots were all it took for the pair to begin to rally deep and smoothly, forcing their opponents to make the shots.  It took little time for the Cowgirls pair to bring it even and begin to distance themselves from the Lady Bobcats, taking the set 8-3.

Ravel and Apolinario battled a unique game with the Bobcats on court 3.  As mentioned before, there are many different ways to play the game.  With Johaina up and Linsie seated squarely in no man’s land, the Cowgirls could do little wrong.  Their opponents hitting short balls, the Cowgirls pushed them hard and deep, monopolizing most points with, though not exactly deft play, sufficient play enough to keep them off balance, winning the set 8-2.

The best competition of the early evening came from Court 2 – Taylor and Lowe.  Never really in charge of the match, both sides teetered back and forth between long rallies complete with sound shots and shorter ones with silly mistakes.  Holding serve until 6-6, the Cowgirls finally were able to hold and break on the same side of the net.  With this complete, the Cowgirls held their own serve and completed the 9-0 sweep of the Lady Bobcats.

We look forward in seeing their progress as we gain steam going into Conference tournament. 

Singles

Kyra Akande (SW) over Cailyn Stack (G) 8-0

Mai Vo (SW) over Kaitlyn White (G) 8-1

Katelyn Leinbach (SW) over Grace Pullion (G) 8-2

Meghan Whalen (SW) over Emily Brooks (G) 8-0

Ansley Hampton (SW) over Logan McCormick (G) 8-0

Holly Galvan (SW) over Hailey Casstevens (G) 8-1

6-0

Dubs

Leinbach/Whalen (SW) over Stack/White (G) 8-3

Kristen Taylor/Abby Lowe (SW) over Holly Hancock/Pullion (G) 8-6

Johaina Apolinario/Linsie Ravel (SW) over Brooks/Anna Cooper (G) 8-2

3-0

9-0

Southwest improves to 8-7 on the season and 3-3 in Conference play.

The Cowgirls host the Lady Comets of Asheboro on Thursday