September 26, 2016 – Ragsdale

Southwest hosts Ragsdale in Conference Tennis Action

With rain threatening all evening, the Cowgirls took to the court on what can only be described as a Monday. 

Mai Vo Court 1

Kyra Akande Court 2

Gretchen Cross Court 3

Sam Hamrick Court 4

Katelyn Leinbach Court 5

Meghan Whalen Court 6

Changing up the order a bit tonight to give the Cowgirls a different look at an opponent, they all played beautifully.  No, we did not secure the win in singles and honestly, the dubs rained out with the long overdue downpour, but the Cowgirls, simply put, worked it!

Mai gave a great challenge to Ragsdale #1. Though falling 2 and 4, Opponent Harmon really had to play her game to defeat the incredible serving and deft playing of Mai.

Kyra was able to hit her shots, her big booming shots, serve and all!  Opponent Mina changed her entire game playing much more defensively and having to wait out Kyra’s big play.  Falling 4 and 1, Kyra still had one of her more consistent big play nights.

Gretchen, playing up in stay of injured Ellen, proved to herself that she could handle the bigger hitter, harder serving, and a more consistent play of her opponent.  Though it doesn’t show in the score, all games went to 30 or deuce on Gretchen’s side.  She will fit in wonderfully in the top six come next season.

Sam fought hard, finally finding her game and a series of shots she could gain traction with in the 2^nd set.  On serve throughout the set, Sam did not falter in her serve unless the last game of the set/match falling 5-7.  A wonderful effort that everyone could envision it falling our way.  Next season.

Katelyn played against a talented Tiger who really had improved in her play over the last several weeks.  Katelyn held tough, but eventually fell 0 and 3.

Though each of the other courts held silver linings, Meghan was able to convert her good play into a win.  Dropping the first set 4-6, I had a chat with her about her play and changing her stroke to a better spin and placement over power, Meghan excelled!  Taking the second set 6-1, Meghan didn’t stop there!  They drove it hard and took the 3^rd set 10-4 securing the only win of the night in singles.

1-5 Ragsdale takes the match in singles play.

Vo/Akande court 1

Hamrick/Whalen Court 2

Taylor/Cross Court 3

With the rain moving in, we began dubs as soon as the girls had an opportunity to rest.

Up on 2 and 3, but down on 1, the bottom dropped out ending the match and with regret, not allowing the Cowgirls to show their dubs strength and secure an easy 2 matches and quite possible court 1 as well.

Since play was decided in singles, we will not continue the dubs, instead, focus on the remainder of the season and conference play.

Singles

Madison Harmon (R) over Mai Vo (SW) 6-2, 6-4

Mina Akbari (R) over Kyra Akande (SW) 6-4, 6-1

Meghan O’Neal (R) over Gretchen Cross (SW) 6-1, 6-1

Abby Ramsey (R) over Sam Hamrick (SW) 6-0, 7-5

Olga Elezovic (R) over Katelyn Leinbach (SW) 6-0, 6-3

Meghan Whalen (SW) over Suzanne Hearndon (R) 4-6, 6-1, 10-4

5-1 Ragsdale

Dubs

Though begun, ran washed out play.

Will not be continued.

SW falls to 9-8 overall and 3-4 in conference.

Weather permitting; SW will travel to HPCA on Tuesday