August 14, 2018

Southwest Cowgirls over the Southeast Lady Falcons , 8-1

Non-conference tennis action

It was a beautiful night at the home of the Lady Falcons as we descended the steps from the bus.  The temperature was right on the money with a spotting of clouds giving the Cowgirls a bit more promise than the early morning heat had given them pause from the morning hitting. 

Southeast lost their top 4 which did not bode well for the Lady Falcons, even in light of the Cowgirls losing 4 of their own due to attrition caused by graduation last June.

June….seems like a world away….wait for me 2019!

I digress.

Lauren Cook (4) exited first from the court followed a short time later with Lanie Van Dorp (3).  Both blitzed their opponents 8-0 in their race to 8.  Though their opponents held for a few shots during the points, these two ladies were able to pull away with their angles and more consistent hitting.

Meghan Whalen (1) walked off quite confident in her play having routed her opponent 8—1 in their contest.  Again, Consistency was the key.  Keeping the ball in play does wonders to a game.

Gretchen Cross (2) finished off her foe 8-3, holding her own through the first 5 games before pulling away, breaking her opponent 2x in the last 4 games to seal the win.

Though Avery McCaskill (6) did fall to a very evenly matched opponent in the longest match of the evening, she enjoyed a break of serve on her opponent as well as longer rallies than she has seen before.  Winded and tired, she couldn’t hold serve and fell gracefully 6-8 to her adversary across the net.

Morgan McGuire (5) had the hardest match of the night.  Having injured her shoulder in the last two days, she didn’t want to back down from the opportunity to play in the top 6.  After stretching and a brief treatment, Morgan’s game held nicely through the first 5 games, but the stiffness and pain returned with a vengeance.  Unable to lift her arm above her shoulder well, Morgan fought against the lob intense rallies and eventually prevailed 8-4, breaking her opponent twice before walking off the court.  Our thoughts are with you tonight Morgan.

Singles Cowgirls 5-1

Doubles began with a swap in the line up replacing Morgan with Lanie partnering with Cook on court #2.  Whalen and Cross to Court #1.  Veteran Holly Galvin taking newcomer Lydia Specht under her wing for Lydia’s first time playing varsity for the Tennis Cowgirls. 

Whalen and Cross quickly ran through their opponents 8-0 keeping a cool collective head and pushing their will onto the opposite court.

Van Dorp/Cook had little issue on court 2.  Both served solid and net play was a plus for the Cowgirls.

The best match of the night was Court 3 dubs, Galvin/Specht – both seniors if you are keeping track at home kids.  Opportunity abounded for both teams.  The Lady Falcons featured a mainstay of a baseline hitter and a quick soccer player with racquet skills.  Losing a break and going down 4-6 deep into the match, Galvin’s baseline rallies and footwork helped turn the tide with Specht’s impressive net play to ward off encroaching returns of serves and shots raising the Cowgirls through not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 games in a row, with two breaks, to win the match.

Dubs 3-0

Match

Cowgirls over the Lady Falcons 8-1

Southwest Cowgirls over the Southeast Lady Falcons

8-1

Non-conference tennis action

Singles

Meghan Whalen (SW) over Jolie Nhougvanisvong (SE) 8-1

Gretchen Cross (SW) over Sofie Paton (SE) 8-3

Lanie Van Dorp (SW) over Nya Reed (SE) 8-0

Lauren Cook (SW) over Jahda Carter (SE) 8-0

Morgan McGuire (SW) over Ellie Cauthen 8-4

Nirvanah Nak (SE) over Avery McCaskill (SW) 8-6

Dubs

Whalen/Cross (SW) over Nhouyvanisvong/Carter (SE) 8-0

Van Dorp/Cook (SW) over Paton/Reed (SE) 8-2

Holly Galvan/Lydia Specht (SW) over Cauthen/Emilee Liggons (SE) 8-6

SW wins 8-1

SW rises to 2-0, plays Wednesday home v Trinity.

SE loses its opener. 0-1