Cowgirls over the Lady Bison of HPC in non-Conference tennis action

Having played Western Guilford very competitively on Monday, the Lady Bison were ready for another challenge. 

Enter Cowgirls stage left. 

As the reader is aware, the Cowgirls, having come off a win against Cornerstone Academy Wednesday, were still finding their collective footing in dual match play.  Not that the ladies played poorly on Wednesday, rather, finding a team that can play competitively against the diverse Cowgirl line-up top down often proves a challenge.  The Lady Bison, at least on paper, looked to be another step closer to the play required come Monday when the Cowgirls host the Lady Pirates of Page.

Upon arrival, the Bison coach informed coach of an injury their #3 had as a result of a fall in the Western match.  Already having a young team, this thrusted a very green player in their line-up v SW and made the bottom three play up a talent spot.  Not to ruin the ending of this brief story, this did not bode well for the Lady Bison.

Audrey Serb captained our play effort against the lady Bison.  Playing against a wonderfully talented defensive player, our own Mrs. Cook’s daughter, Mallory, Audrey ended up dropping the first game of the match.  The pendulum swung immediately in Audrey’s favor after that…simply first game over hitting and unforced errors.  To her credit, Mallory battled nicely.  In comparison to Audrey’s past opponents, Mallory caused a bit of difficulty to Audrey in returning a lot of shots/points others would have simply let go.  Though not always finding her mark of the return, Mallory extended many of the points at least one two more shots forcing Audrey to better her efforts to finish the point.  And that she did with the final score 1 and 0.

More on court #2 Lauren Harris in a bit.

Anna McGinnis has begun the season with a consistent forehand topspin with an ability to direct the ball’s path accordingly.  Coupled with her ongoing backspin efforts, it took little time to dismantle the Lady Bison #3.  Please remember loyal reader, the Bison lost their current #3 in that injury written about above.  A one player talent shift is often the deciding factor in many matches. 

So…understanding the Bison’s dilemma and trying to poise the Cowgirls for future play, Coach’s instructions to Cowgirls #3,4,5,6 was to jump on every opportunity.  Plan their shots.  Pair each shot with a direct action of either down the line or a distinct cross-court.  No, Coach wasn’t expecting many shots to be returned to the Cowgirls.  He mainly wanted the ladies to practice the non-traditional, bread and butter shots the Cowgirls are known for in their hitting.  In short…the better the team, the less opportunity is given.  Therefore, more opportunity must be taken.  Today’s match was simply a quick glimpse of what opportunity looks like in an extended view.

So… what happened?  Having shifted up a talent spot, the Lady Bison, though playing well, were not to the level of the Cowgirl’s 3/4/5/6 seeds.  Anna McGinnis, Rachael Dee, Betsy Chen, and a visitor to the top 6, Bella Johnson, all were able to push their styled play on the Bison and subsequently win their matches 0 and 0. 

Be forewarned readers, just as quickly as the pendulum swung back in the favor of Audrey on Court one, so too can the fortunes of an entire team when playing in the metro 4a.  Let’s just hope the Cowgirls can match up properly against the Lady Pirates on Monday.

Lauren Harris, having exacerbated an injury against Cornerstone, came equipped with Bio Freeze, a lace up ankle support, and after visiting Liam Buckley, the best Athletic Trainer in the world, prior to the match, a very stiff tape job on her ankle. 

Now, Coach was talking to Liam previously…unbeknownst to many readers, there is a difference between the types of tape used for the athletes.  For smaller items and basic support, there is a “common” tape that most schools use.  But Liam, through the great benefactor of Atrium Health, was able to acquire what can only be called “magic” tape.  I know what you are thinking…there is no such thing as “magic” tape.  But I beg to differ.  For the more severe injuries, Liam applies a special prep spray, Cowboy Kelley green pre-wrap, and then a healthy dose of “magic” tape.  Though as special as it is, just like Santa’s magic from the movie “The Santa Clause” starring Tim Allen, can be used up, so too does the magic in the magic tape dissipate as its powers of healing and help are absorbed by the skin.  You will see what I mean when Lauren’s match is described below.

Ok, Lauren takes to the court, ankle well supported.  Shots were on.  Ms Boger, Lady Bison #2, ran and hit, and so too did Lauren.  Now able to run without incident, stop, turn, and take off again, Lauren answered every call Caroline put forth.  From the first serve on, Lauren proved nothing Caroline threw at her would stick.  1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0, 5-0, 6-0…first set won!

But the magic faded.  Boger’s coach, though only seen from the corner of my eye, gave Ms Boger the Mr Miyagi pep talk, and I swear, rubbed her hands vigorously and slapped them together before Ms Boger began her second set v Lauren.  They were nearly equal in shots and movement.  Tosses became shorter, steps were not as fluid, shots clipped or were caught by the net or missing it altogether, sailed long off the back of the court.  Down a serve, Lauren broke Ms Boger to draw a tie at 4 all.  Holding serve Lauren went up 5-4 and poised to win the match…..Magic!  why do you fail her now?!?!

5-5, 5-6 Ms Boger breaks back.  And she holds, winning the second set and forcing a third set – super tiebreaker (first to 10 by 2).

The ankle was hurting.  The ankle was rubbing.  Both ladies were tired.  Coach offered to cut off the tape, but Lauren said no.  10 points for a win.  Both sides had the skill to reach this goal.

Lauren served, 1-0.  A blitzer of a serve.

Ms Boger collected both her serves.  1-2

Lauren netted the first serve and sailed the return from Boger.  1-3.

Lauren holds.  2-3.

Boger hits short, Lauren capitalized on it.  3-3

Switch sides.

Boger holds.  3-4

Hold.  4-4

Hold.  5-4

Boger let’s one sail after a particularly vicious forehand return from Lauren.  6-4

Boger loses her second serve.  7-4

Lauren nets the return of shot.  7-5

Boger hits a shorty..Lauren cannot cover the distance.  7-6

Rally, short from Boger, Lauren hits a forehand winner cross-court. 8-6

Boger’s shots begin to come back to Lauren..Lauren preps and delivers.  9-6.

Lauren tries for too much.  9-7.

Rally, Short, Lauren once again capitalizes on the misstep and wins the tiebreaker 10-7. 

Simply a beautiful match against very competitive opponents.   6-0, 5-7, 1-0 (10-7)

Though not on the same level as “Magic Legs” from Forrest Gump when the title character saw Lt Dan walking with his titanium prothesis, the tape job clearly gave Lauren the needed boost to help he overcome the playing wiles of the Lady Bison.

Singles now concluded; the Cowgirls claim victory having won the 6 singles matches.

Dubs:

After the build up and result of Lauren’s match, the rest of the night’s play was a bit subdued. 

Audrey partnered with Last Season’s favorite Anna on dubs court #1.  Playing an exhausted Boger and #1 Mallory, the Lady Bison could not find the right balance of defense against the power shots and finesse play of the Cowgirls.  8-1.

So too with Dubs #2.  Resting Betsy and Rachael, Jada Speight and Caroline Church were moved up from their talent spot of dubs #3.  Again, a beautiful match of solid serves and good ball placement.  Yes, more can be worked on, but the play was sufficient against the opponents today. 

And taking the court as #3 dubs, Trinity Edwards and Nicole Blue.  Though taking the longest of all the dubs matches tonight, the Cowgirls dropped on 2 games whole surviving quite lively play from the Lady Bison.  8-2.

The Cowgirls sweep the Lady Bison this turn.  Our hearts go out to the injured Lady Bison and her quick recovery and insertion back into the line-up in the coming weeks.

Audrey Serb (SW) over Mallory Cook (HPC) 6-1, 6-0

Lauren Harris (SW) over Caroline Boger (HPC) 6-0, 5-7, 1-0 (10-7)

Anna McGinnis (SW) over Eleanor Ilderton (HPC) 6-0, 6-0

Rachae Dee (SW) over Reagan Bonsell (HPC) 6-0, 6-0

Betsy Chen (SW) over Hannah Sutherby (HPC) 6-0, 6-0

Bella Johnson (SW) over Trishellyna Luong (HPC) 6-0, 6-0

Dubs:

Serb/McGinnis (SW) over Cook/Boger (HPC) 8-1

Jada Speight/Caroline Church (SW) over Ilderton/Bonsell (HPC) 8-0

Trinity Edwards/Nicole Blue (SW) over Sutherby/Luong (HPC) 8-2

Cowgirls take the match 9-0

Cowgirls improve to 2-0 overall and will host the lady Pirates of Page on Monday for the beginning of conf play.

The Lady Bison fall to 0-2 on the season.