September 22, 2016 – Asheboro

Southwest Cowgirls hosting the Lady Comets of Asheboro in tennis action – non-conference.

Having played the Lady Comets already this season and winning the dual play, I decided to offer the Lady Comets an opportunity to see some different faces and in turn, allow The lower seeded Cowgirls the chance to play up a bit more.

Mai Vo – Court 1

Kyra Akande – Court 2

Meghan Whalen – Court 3

Gretchen Cross – Court 4

Maria Tawhid – Court 5

Ansley Hampton – Court 6

Ansley, relative newcomer to the top six, playing her debut just yesterday v Glenn, came out with a bang.  The Comets altering their line up on court 6 from last play, Ansley had little problem with her serve and subsequent play in dispelling any notion of being only a beginner of the game.  Keeping her opponent pinned to the baseline, Ansley pulled ahead and spread the distance 10-4 at the final.

Kyra, if the reader remembers, had a bit of a time at #1 when we traveled to Asheboro to play the Comets the first time.  Giving herself three games to get adjusted Kyra began her play down 1 game at 1-2.  Finding her sweet spot of her swing and getting a higher percentage of serves in, Kyra began the dominating of her opponent.  10-4 for the final.  A good win for the big hitter.

Meghan exited next.  Winning 10-6, it was tense for the first 9 games of the match.  Taking her time to settle down and deliver on her spin and shot placement, Meghan found her opportunity in the form of a break down 4-5 to go  up 6-5, Meghan allowed only one more game on serve to her opponent taking 5 of the 6 last games and clinching the win on court 3.

Mai began slow and though recovering her step, her opponent proved too tough after breaking the Cowgirl twice to a 4-1 lead.  Mai did improve her lot and began to move her feet and set up for shots, but down two breaks was a close as she could manage against a very talented Blue Comet.

Maria held tight with her opponent, exchanging breaks and leads 3 times during the first 11 games of the match.  The Lady Comet proved too much for her eventually pulling away with deeper, more consistent shots in the corners and on the baseline.  Maria fought well.

The longest pro-10 of the year will go to Gretchen for tonight’s marathon match.  Though never in any real danger of losing the match, Gretchen had to fight for every point.  Ms Garcia, simply put, kept the ball in play.  Gretchen had her on power, but as the match continued on, Gretchen’s shots began to become attracted to the middle of the court, allowing Ms. Garcia the opportunity to stay in each point.  All in all Gretchen’s match lasted almost 2 hours.  For the reader, most 2 set matches last 30-40 minutes shorter – yes, we were waiting on this for a long while.  A good win for Gretchen, one that will help her game through the end of this season and next season as she transitions into the top 6.

Singles

4-2 – SW advantage.

Having lost at #1 dubs last time with my #2 dubs team of Hamrick and Whalen, I wanted to push the Lady Comets in their play.

Vo/Akande – Court 1

Kristen Taylor/Katelyn Leinbach – Court 2

Alethea Yu/Heaven Dukes – Court 3

But first, let’s chat about Court #2.  Katelyn and Kristen did a great job tonight, quelling the brief uprising on court 2.  Finding their game, the Senior and Junior had it well in hand as they dismissed the Comets 8-4.

Alethea and Heaven played some of the best play of their year.  Alethea was nothing short than a beast at the net.  Her 5 ft + height playing like a 6 foot tall specialist.  Few things got past her, and if they did, Heaven was immediately there, lifting the ball high and deep to the baseline winning the match 8-2.  A great win from one of the lower seed duos the Cowgirls have nurtured throughout the season.

But after such an epic length of a match with Gretchen, Kyra and Mai wanted a piece of that action.  Though competent in their opening play, the Jr duo had little in the form of cohesion on the court – this which the Comets exposed like a raw nerve.  Gaining their footing in game 5 – down 1-4 (note: this is not an ideal place from which to vault to a win – a great story for a comeback, but still, not ideal) the Cowgirls began their crawl back.  Kyra’s serve began to click – this as well as her forehand which resulted in lethal accuracy and placement.  Mai did her part, with Kyra dominating the net, Mai was running down the frequent lobs from the opposite baseline.

2-5

3-5

3-6
4-6

5-6

5-7

6-7

7-7

8-7

9-7

A great end to an excellent comeback – proving the mental faculties the Cowgirls.  Asheboro is a quality team which we will enjoy playing again next season.

Dubs 3-0 SW

Final

7-2 SW

Hannah Eldera (A) over Mai Vo (SW) 10-6

Kyra Akande (SW) over Angie Pincus (A) 10-4

Meghan Whalen (SW) over Elizabeth Redding (A) 10-6

Gretchen Cross (SW) over Isa Garcia (A) 10-7

Georgia Shipley (A) over Maria Tawhid (SW) 10-6

Ansley Hampton (SW) over Emma Nunn (A) 10-4

4-2 SW coming out of singles

Dubs

Vo/Akande (SW) over Eldera/Pincus (A)  9-7

Kristen Taylor/Kaitlyn Leinbach (SW) over Redding/Shipley (A) 8-4

Alethea Yu/Heaven Dukes (SW) over Isa Garcia/Emma Nunn (A) 8-2

3-0 SW

7-2 final – SW

SW continues their streak and goes to 9-7 overall, remains 3 and 3 in the conference.

Cowgirls host Ragsdale on Monday in Conference action.