October 12 – Day 2 of Conference play 

Today was a great day for tennis.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t a great day in the wins category for the Cowgirls.

Mai and Ellen played some of the best tennis of their respective season.  They went up against the #1 seed of the tournament and Conference.  Playing only once in the regular season due to the twisted ankle Ellen incurred mid season, Mai and Ellen were not able to play the second time.  Now, facing them in the semi’s of tournament play, it was going to be an uphill battle.

Holding serve throughout the 1^st set, the Cowgirls held serve and won the first set 6-4. Unable to settle back into their flow, Ragsdale stormed back, breaking Southwest twice to take the second set.  On to the Tiebreaker! – The race to ten began.  Trading points, the Cowgirls held tight, up 7-5 before Ragsdale upped their game, breaking The Cowgirls serve and drawing even at 7-7.  8-7 Cowgirls.  8-8 tie.  8-9 Ragsdale, and with an uncharacteristic shot into the net, the Cowgirls bow out of Conference play and into the consolation round for 3/4^th place.

6-4, 1-6, 8-10

Battling another strong Ragsdale team, the cowgirls didn’t seem in sync throughout first set play.  Holding serve and up 4-3, Mai lost serve in a moment of mental lapse allowing Ragsdale to go ahead 5-4.  Hitting out of sorts, the Cowgirls cede the 1^st set 4-6 to Ragsdale.

 The second set began much better.  After allowing Ragsdale the benefit of the first game, SW held serve and in fact, broke Ragsdale twice…storming back to take the second set 6-2.

Again!!!!! Into the tiebreaker!

Playing sound tennis, points were evenly played back and forth. 

8-8

9-8

9-9

10-9
10-10

11-10

11-11

11-12

12-12

12-13

13-13

13-14

14-14

14-15

14-16 – Ragsdale

A very unepic end to an incredible match.

No, we didn’t play as consistently as we wanted to throughout the day, but we did have moments of unparalleled play, far crisper and precise than we have played as a dubs team before.  But in the end, it wasn’t enough throughout the two matches to topple our very skilled opponents. 

Mai and Ellen did make it to day 2.  They beat out 8 other teams who didn’t make it to this heralded day.  We have our work cut out for us in the next week and a half before facing a new set of opponents in Regional play.

A Coach’s aside:

I am so proud of my entire Cowgirl tennis team, their season of play, their fight!  I applaud the efforts of the top six who went to battle in Conference play – all making it to the 2^nd round – no small feat!  I especially commend the efforts of Mai and Ellen on making it to day 2 and wrestling throughout their matches on both days.  Understand, both days playing three 3 setters.  Even for the initiated, that is a lot of tennis to fight through.

 Hats off to my ladies!

Three Cheers for Cowgirls Tennis!