October 11, 2016 – Conference Day 1

It was an absolutely gorgeous day on the courts at High Point Central as we begin conference tournament action.

First up for Southwest was the doubles team of Sam Hamrick and Meghan Whalen.  Playing near flawless tennis in their first round, they soundly defeated the doubles team from Glenn high school.  

Thus progressing into the second round they drew the number 4 doubles team in the conference...a team from Ragsdale. 

Playing at a level not seen before from either player singularly or as a dubs team this season, Sam and Meghan drew close but lost the first set 4-6.  Playing even all through the second set, the Cowgirls broke Ragsdale's serve to bring it to a 6-6 forcing a tiebreaker for the second set.  Still even keel, Sam and Meghan pushed harder handing the lady tigers a 6-8 loss in the tiebreak.  

This forced a third set.  Down 5 - 2 in the third, Sam and Meghan rallied back to draw it even once more 5 - 5.  Unable to do more and with Ragsdale raising their game, the Cowgirls fought bravely but were unable to close the match out.  

In short, the Cowgirls showed insanely good play against their Ragsdale counterparts.

Katelyn Leinbach, the Cowgirl’s number 2 entry into the singles draw, also had victory in the first round against East Forsyth, 1 and 1. 

In spite of an excellent play in her second round match against the number one singles player from High Point Central, Katelyn could not hold out against her heavy hitting for going out 3 and 1.  But the score was not indicative of the play Katelyn had today.  Once more, Katelyn played outstanding in her defense in the second round.

Kyra Akande, seeded # 3 in singles play, drew a 1st round bye, but landed squarely in the sites of her #1 counterpart from East Forsyth. Having played her to three sets and winning by a slim margin in regular season, we all knew the difficulties facing Kyra.  

Losing the first set 1-6 in what can be only considered as a lapse in mental game, Kyra fought back to take the second set 6-2.  Into the third set once more!  Drawing even at 5-5 and once more at 6-6, in uncharacteristic play, Kyra forced the last few shots shooting them long and thus ended her second day hopes and regional aspirations for this year.  But do not be dismayed, Kyra will return next season and get to regionals!

The Cowgirls lone hope for regional berth laid at the feet of Mai Vo and Ellen Druebbisch, also earning a #3 seed for the tournament.  Struggling greatly in their opening games and down 1-4 early on, Mai and Ellen fought back drawing close at 4-5 before losing the first set 4-6.  Not dismayed, Mai and Ellen started the second set holding their serve and continued to hold the serve lead.  Finally breaking the team from NW (always fun to say), The Cowgirls took the second set 6-4.  Into the third set super 10 tiebreak.  Three antacids later, the Cowgirls walk off the courts after their NW Counterparts tanked their last two shots into the net thus handing the Cowgirls their first second round win of the night and first regional berth in 2 years.

Way to go to all of the Cowgirls on their excellent play.

Mai Vo and Ellen Druebbisch will play tomorrow at HPC for the Semi’s and Finals of the Piedmont Triad 4-A Conference Tennis tournament.  In addition, they will be representing Southwest at the Tennis Regionals on October 21 @ Grimsley.

Make sure they feel the love of the RANCH as you see them in the hallways!