Aug 30, 2017

Southwest Cowgirls hosting the Whirlies of Grimsley in non-conference tennis action

Warming back up to seasonal temperatures, The Cowgirls played host to the Whirlies of Grimsley.  Losing to the Whirlies last season, 3-6, the Cowgirls aimed to better their mark this season and they certainly did just that.

Playing an adjusted line up for singles, Hamrick resting for doubles, the Cowgirls took to the court.  Top down the Whirlies had shots, shots, and more shots.  Court one was a prime example.  Mai matched the Whirlie number one for speed and shot selection, but the Whirlie had the advantage of coming into the net and deft volleying while forcing errors.  Mai held well against the hitter but came up short in the end.  Still, It must be said tonight was the best hitting Mai has shown all season.  To this, I am very proud.

To the uninitiated, the last lines may seem foreign.  Playing well usually = win.  But being not only a teacher of the game but also a student, I try to instill into my players the crazy notion the regardless of the final score, “Did you hit your best today?”  And if the answer is yes….if I can agree to their handiwork on the court (and trust me that I run from court to court to support and coach where needed for all of the ladies)...this is why I coach.  You can play poorly and still win.  Though a win, it does nothing to satisfy my soul.  You can play poorly and lose…..this is never a good night.  Playing well is paramount.  From that angle, though winning is sweet, even in the jaws of defeat one can stand tall and fight the giants.  You may succumb to their onslaught, but as long as you have dug deep, overcame your own hitting inhibitions, and played your game…..What more can I ask for as a coach?  Eventually this freedom of play will result in victory, but in preparation of that day, Mai played outstanding.  Her opponent simply was that good.

Kyra exited second from the court.  Playing at #2 seed, Kyra matched up very well with her Whirlie opponent.  Staying on serve through the first 5 games, Kyra dropped the hammer and never looked back.  Owning the court with her hellacious topspin forehand and a serve that rarely missed, Kyra took her opponent to task, blasting away to take the match 10-2, wining the last 7 games straight.

Lanie exited the courts next.  Playing an opponent with a high bouncing shot, Lanie had difficulties from the start.  Point for point Lanie held tight to the Whirlie and a number of impressive rallies resulted, but she had a time finishing out the points.  Down as much as 2-5, Lanie dug deep and fought to hold serve.  Though unable to convert a break in play, she served again and once more, held.  3-6.  3-7.  4-7. But losing to the game of attrition in her sound shot making, the Whirlie placed her shots better than our Cowgirl and the match concluded 4-10.

Katelyn found herself in a hole.  As a sidebar to the reader, doughnut holes are delicious and though highly addictive and fattening, rarely pose a threat to the game of tennis.  A hole in tennis, whether forced into or self dug, is never the vantage point to play from, unless an epic comeback is waiting on the match horizon.  Down 2-5 in match play, Katelyn and I had a quick meeting at the fence.  Katlyn had the shots, but lost her way in the opening games.  With the destination of 10 games to win, Katelyn began the climb (Cue music).  3-5.  3-6.  4-6.  5-6.  5-7.  6-7.  7-7.  8-7.  8-8.  8-9.  Holding serve to bring it to 9-9.  9-10.  9-11.  Once more, outstanding play from the Cowgirls.  Did she win, no.  Did she play her heart out on the court.  Yes.  And knowing that play was always within her sets her up for heightened play from here on out this season.  What a great match….but please read on, there is definitely more.

Meghan played her slightly better hitting twin.  Fraternal, not identical.  Playing number 3 court is never easy.  No one folds.  No one looks across the net and says “I quit!”  Though everyone shows up and plays, courts 3/4 not only show up, but they typically consume tennis on a different level.  Grimsley personified this rule.  Meghan and opponent held serve save for a break each bringing the score to 5-6.  The shots were crisp, well cornered in their execution with various line shots thrown in for good measure.  Serves were a highlight on court 3.  6-6. 6-7. With a chance to tie at sevens, the Whirlie unleashed a series of great shots over several points.  6-8. Holding serve and on a tear, the Whirlies went up 6-9.  Though returning well and sound strokes from the baseline, it wasn’t enough for the cowgirl to turn the tide.  Final score 6-10.

In sitting Sam out for Singles, Gretchen Cross was more than happy to pull up the rear on court 6.  When I say happy to do so, what I meant to say was….squirrel!  Did you see that squirrel?  It was right there.  Are you telling me no one else saw it?  What is the score?  Oh, Gretchen was down 0-5.  Apparently it was right where she wanted her.  Bringing Gretchen to the side, I apparently spoke a miracle into Gretchen’s play.  Not really, but simply a refocus on her game, to play for fun, and not be so uptight during play.  I will let the numbers tell the tale.

1-6

2-6

3-6

4-6

4-7

5-7

6-7

6-8

7-8

8-8

9-8

9-9

10-9

11-9 and a victory worth telling others about.  Again, to dig deep within your soul and find playing fire to mold and use to overcome adversity – one of the many goals of sports in high schools.

Down 2-4 after singles, the Cowgirls put their game faces on and took to the courts.

Sam Hamrick/Meghan Whalen devastated the Whirlies court 2.  With a scoring snafu in the 5^th game not realized until game 6, it all shook out in the Cowgirls favor now up 5-2.   Not looking back, the Cowgirls held the stunned Whirlies to those original two games and won 8-2.

Katelyn Leinbach and Gretchen Cross exited the courts next for a win.  Playing on serve for much of the first games, Cross dropped her serve and the Whirles held.  Down 3-5, the Cowgirls held, broke, held, whirlies hold, 6-6.  Holding serve, 7-6.  Another break to take the win 8-6.

Kyra and Mai - on court #1 – were on fire.  Hitting with such ferocity in singles only stoked the fire in their combined play.  Once more Kyra’s serve was a well oiled machine and along with her huge forehand, there was little stop her service games.  Mai’s serve flowed like milk and honey of the promised land, and that, coupled with her incredible runs and gets from the baseline, allowed the Cowgirls to hold their own against an excellent hitting team.  7-7.  On serve, 7-8.  And in the final game of the night, the Cowgirls were finally broke after going to deuce – 7-9.

The Cowgirls bowed out at 4-5 on the evening, playing the best tennis of the season.

                If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

                To serve your turn long after they are gone,   

                And so hold on when there is nothing in you

                  Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

                Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it                                       

                                                                      Excerpts from “If” by Rudyard Kipling

Again the question….  “But did you win?”  And the only answer I can give is “Not in score.  In heart.  In play.  In the depths of their individual and collective souls, yes.  We won tonight.  The Cowgirls’ stars have never shown brighter. “

Singles:

Kaisa Gedlischka (G) over Mai Vo (SW) 10-2

Kyra Akande (SW) over Vivian Gertz (G) 10-2

Haley Smith (G) over Meghan Whalen (SW) 10-6

Reece Perini (G) over Katelyn Leinbach (SW) 11-9

Eddie Wood (G) over Lanie Van Dorp (SW) 4-10

Gretchen Cross (SW) over Emma Tillman (G) 11-9

Dubs

Gedlischka/Gertz (G) over Vo/Akande (SW) 9-7

Sam Hamrick/Whalen (SW) over Maddie Billings/Gracie Diamond (G) 8-2

Leinbach/Cross (SW) over Juliann Engstrom/Jada Wilse (G) 8-6

4-5, Cowgirls losing to the Whirlies of Grimsley.

The Whirlies rise to 1-2 on the season.

The Cowgirls drop to 7-2, 1-1 on the season.

The Cowgirls JV will host the HPCA JV at SW Tennis courts beginning @4pm on Thursday, 8/31.