October 4, 2017

Cowgirls travel to Asheboro – The Blue Comets – for our last tennis match of the season

Having researched a few of the matches the Lady Comets had played earlier in the season, I sat out two of the top 7 and adjusted the line up to better mirror their line-up.

Taking the win on singles 5-1 was an added benefit. 

The top two Cowgirls had their fortunes reversed from yesterday’s HPCA match.  Kyra was the only singles player to run afoul of the Comets.  Though a stronger hitting than her opponent, Kyra was unable to keep up with the consistency and slightly shorter shots, forcing Kyra’s power to be marginalized.  In the end, Kyra fought hard but was simply outplayed.  5-10.

Mai rolled to a 10-2 victory.  It must be said that both Kyra and Mai played almost the exact same game as they did yesterday, but matching up inversely with their opponents gave them divergent results.  Mai kept her balls in, played deep, and pushed her opponent around quiet effectively.  Though the Comet lefty did have a few great shots, all in all this was billed as the Mai show.

Meghan found out where the top talent ended.  Apparently the answer was at #2.  Comet #3 had good shots, but every one of those shots found Meghan’s power band where she had little trouble hitting, running to, and placing the ball exactly where she needed…10-0.

Katelyn was able to play a bigger role at the net after being drawn into multiple approach shots.  Clearly this is not within the realm of her comfort zone.  It is really fun watching the ladies grow in their play and game.  With Katelyn’s reach up and right and left, she allowed little room for the Comet to hit it around her.  This facet coupled with her great baseline play and movement of the ball allowed Katelyn to end the hope of the Comet, 10-3.

Gretchen’s play began on a positive note.  Taking the first three games before allowing the Comet to hold serve (3-1) proved to be a real morale booster.  Apparently the hiccups in play the Comet had were transferred on the handing off of the balls and Gretchen experienced a two game mental block in play.  Up 3-2, Cowgirls hold, Comet’s hold, Cowgirls hold, break, hold, Comet’s hold, and the next three games earned by a determined young lady.  Gretchen takes the match 10-4.

Alethea Yu, first time for Varisty Singles this season, had a super time on court 6.  Slow pace from her opponent was no trouble  for Alethea as she ran well and hit her corners.  The Cowgirl even had several opportunities to approach the net with the Comet’s lackluster shots.  As with Katelyn, not a true strength – the net, Alethea adjusted well and won 10-4.

Cowgirls up 5-1 after singles.

Playing out the top two for final match play preparation for the Conference Tourney, Sam/Whalen court 1, Leinbach/Cross court 2, and for a well deserved opportunity on Dubs 3 – Lauren Cook/Heaven Dukes.

Cook/Dukes exited the courts first.  Dominating from the baseline and at the net, the Comet’s could do little stop the angles and deeper/more angled hitting of the Cowgirls.  8-0.

Sam and Meghan started out with a bang, up 3-0.  4 games later they were facing a 3-4 deficit.  Holding serve, but unable to break the Comet’s, 4-5. 

4-6,

4-7,

5-7,

5-8.

But good playing.  Reader, please do not think I am simply trying to placate you or the ladies.  It was good playing.  By far it was the best service match and net play of the entire season.  Returns were off, but angles and alleys were spot on keeping their opponents from crowding the net.  Very solid play from Sam and Meghan.  They are in good form heading into the Conference Tourney next week.

Katelyn and Gretchen were tasked to try something they have been unable or unwilling to do much of this past season….poach.  No, we are not talking eggs!  To poach a shot requires the person stationed near the net to “cut-off” the cross court shot intended for a deeper waiting player.  What is also does in shortens the reaction time of the opponent and usually leaves them scrambling unless they are anticipating the shot.  This works well for the Cowgirls today on Court 2.  Playing consistent tennis back and forth, Katelyn was the first to cut-off the slightly off-course shot and send it immediately behind the Comet closest to the net and away from the partner.  Like a charm.  Gretchen and Katelyn recorded no less than 11 poaches for the match.  So instead of battling back and forth from the baseline around the person at the net, the Cowgirls took the initiative and ended a good sum of points, giving the Cowgirls the mental advantage, multiple games, and lessened the need for drawn out points.  Cowgirls 8-3.

Angie Pincus (A) over Kyra Akande (SW) 8-5

Mai Vo (SW) over Georgia Shipley (A) 10-2

Meghan Whalen (SW) over Laura Gomez (A) 10-0

Katelyn Leinbach (SW) over Luna Corona (A) 10-3

Gretchen Cross (SW) over Allyson Russell (A) 10-4

Alethea Yu (SW) over Sarah Lynn Ficquette (A) 10-4

5-1 Cowgirls after Singles

Dubs:

Pincus/Shipley (A) over Whalen/Sam Hamrich (SW) 5-8

Leinbach/Cross (SW) over Gomez/Corona (A) 8-3

Lauren Cook/Heaven Dukes (SW) over Russell/Ficquette (A) 8-0

7-2 Cowgirls win the match.

The Blue Comets drop to 9-8 on the season and remain 6-6 in conference play.

The Cowgirls finish their season 14-5 and remain 4-2 in conference.

The RANCH will host the Piedmont Triad 3-A conference tournament next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Both days will begin play at 4pm.