September 18, 2017

Southwest Cowgirls hosting the Lady Eagles of Smith in Conference tennis action

Fear and trepidation doesn’t usually occur the second time we play a team when we handled them soundly the first time.  Tonight was no different.  Playing only one spot in common from the 1^st meeting, in fact, playing a lot deeper than before, the Cowgirls came out ahead tonight.

Still a developing team beneath court 2, Smith played very well in their respective talent spots.  Unfortunately, due to a dentist appointment for one and a twisted ankle + a potential broken wrist (accident on the court from last week) for another Lady Eagle, Smith only brought 5 ladies to the match.  In doing so, from the start, Smith had to concede/forfeit both #6 singles and #3 dubs.

Playing up at #4 seed tonight, Abby Lowe wasted little time exiting the court in less than 45 minutes with a score of 2 and 0.  Picking up her feet better than in the past, Abby was able to place the ball around the court causing her opponent to run to and fro while taking position nearer the net to put away ill prepared shots from the Lady Eagle.

Kyra, in the zone, hard and fast first serves and punishing forehands/backhands, let little stand in her way for straight sets.  Having mentally faltered last encounter with the same Smith player in the second set before pulling out the third set tiebreaker, Kyra shut the door on hope early alling only 4 game in total from her opponent.  Overmatched and hitting above her comfort level, the Lady Eagle pushed long and wide often giving the match to Kyra 2 and 2.

Meghan suffered the only loss of the evening, but still played excellent tennis.  Her opponent, #2 from Smith, had taken Sam to task the last encounter of the Cowgirls and Lady Eagles.  Meghan di oh so much better.  Thought both ladies lost their initial three serves each, Meghan held going up 4-3.  Lady Eagle hold, 4-4.  Meghan broken once more, 4-5.  And holding her own serve, 4-6 Smith in the first.  Playing a very smart game of consistency and pace coupled with corners and depth, Meghan battled well in the second set too.  Throwing off her opponents pace with a slightly lifted and deep shots, Meghan held nicely.  Holding serve and directing play throughout, Meghan, growing fatigued on the court, fell back a half step for some of her shots.  With Meghan out of position the Lady Eagle took charge and finished the match 4-6, 4-6.  As discussed with Meghan after the match, this was some of the smartest and consistent tennis from Ms Whalen all season.  Coach is smiling at the future.

Understand, while everyone had exited the courts, finishing both of their sets, even Meghan and her long suffering encounter with her opponent, Lanie remained on court #3.  In fact, when Meghan walked off, Lanie was still in her 1^st set tiebreaker.  Lanie, initially down 0-4, fought hard and long points.  1-4, 2-4, 3-4, 4-4, 4-5, 5-5, 6-5, 6-6 – a tiebreaker.  Neither side finding sufficient toe holds to climb over the other, the first set ended up taking in excess of 1 hour and 45 minutes.  Abby had not only won at #4 and exited the courts.  She had made it home, fixed a sandwich, posted on Snapchat of her win and sandwich making ability, and was well on her way of garnering at least 100 likes of the same before Lanie had finished her 1^st set.

0-0

1-0

2-0

3-0

3-1

4-1

4-2

4-3

5-3

6-3

6-4

7-4

The first set in the books.

Having laid waste of her opponents energy storage, Lanie stretched her out across the court and easily took her 6-1 to win the match.

Singles, 5-1 Cowgirls.

Having the match secured, I played the Cowgirls #3 dubs against their #1 dubs.  Foolish?  Only if we lose.

Katelyn Leinbach/Gretchen Cross, having stayed fresh during singles began warming up on court #1.  This late in the season, I try to play the ladies as close to their talent spot twin as I can to ready their hearts and play to the frustration and glory we know as conference tournament.  Win or lose, if the ladies can play above their station and feel comfortable doing so, we then are well poised to for the seeding surprises that happen to every team in conference play.

Quick Plug, Piedmont Triad 3-A conference tournament will occur here at Southwest.  Yours truly gets to host the premium sporting event October 10/11.  Admission is free, the competition intense, you should come and show Football who can draw the largest crowd.

Leinbach and Cross take the first game with little fanfare…and then lose the next two including a serve.  In the annuals of time, this isn’t the best opening move one could have invented. 

1-2. 1-3. 1-4. 2-4. 2-5. 

Frustrated with the play a small adjustment was made verbally and taken to heart mentally.

3-5, 4-5, 5-5,

More pressure at the net and longer crosscourt shots deep in the corner,

5-6, 6-6, 7-6, 8-6.

The #3 Cowgirls Dubs triumph over the #1 dubs of Smith.  Clearly no small accomplishment.

#2 dubs were a mere formality, but one in which the cowgirls excelled.  Heaven and Alethea exited the courts, victors too, 8-2.

Dubs, 3-0 in favor of the Cowgirls.

Cowgirls win the match 8-1.

Much like when we lost to RJR last week, the score is often not indicative of the level of play that transpired on the courts.  Playing up in every spot from last encounter, the Cowgirls showed tonight just how much they have grown in team and individual play.  It is almost like they are learning something outside themselves.  It feels really good.

Singles:

Kyra Akande (SW) over Leah Bullard (S) 6-2, 6-2

Bria Smith (S) over Meghan Whalen (SW) 6-4, 6-4

Lanie Van Dorp (SW) over Pich Him (S) 7-6 (7-4), 6-1

Abby Lowe (SW) over Ruth Rodrieguez (S) 6-2, 6-0

Kirsten Blunder (SW) over Anisha Lawrence (S) 6-1, 6-3

Holly Gavin (SW) wins by Forfeit – No Smith #6

5-1 Cowgirls after singles

Dubs:

Katelyn Leinbach/Gretchen Cross (SW) over Bullard/Smith (S) 8-6

Heaven Dukes/Alethea Yu (SW) over Rodrieguez/Lawrence (S) 8-2

Morgan McGuire/Blake Murphy (SW) win by Forfeit – No Smith #3 dubs

3-0 Cowgirls

8-1 Cowgirls over the Lady Eagles of Smith

Smith falls to 0-7 on the season and without a win in Conference play.

Cowgirls rise to 9-3 on the season and 3-1 in conference play.

Cowgirls host the Wheatmore Warriors on Thursday for non-conference tennis action.