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Southwest Guilford High School

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Cowboys Athletics

Southwest Guilford High School

Cowboys Athletics

Southwest Guilford High School

Game Summaries & Headlines.

Game Summary

1 year ago @ 1:11AM

Womens Varsity Tennis vs. Western Guilford HS School

Game Date
Aug 24, 2022
Score
COWBOYS: 6
WESTERN GUILFORD HIGH SCHOOL: 3

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W Tennis Cowgirls over the Lady Hornets of Western Guilford 6-3 in an excellent conference match

 

Having come from a Marketing background…people want excess.  Enough isn’t good enough.  Clearly more is better...from trim packages on cars, phone…well, phone size, and even with our morning coffee/tea….only the grandparents and men (and women) with hair on their chests and face drink it black.  Coach like a Chai Latte.  But that isn’t enough as witnessed by the following order…”Hi can I get a Grande Iced chai latte with oakmilk, 2 pumps toasted vanilla & Vanilla sweet cream foam.”

 

Dear Reader, if you still doubt this, just think of the toilet paper debacle during Covid. 

A 4-Pack?  Not for me!  Coach (and most of you) has quite the stockpile….”just in case it gets bad again.”  And hidden still, probably another 4-6 pack of toilet paper in reserve to the first reserve.

 

Why do I mention this?  One simply word.  Parity.  Yes, astute ones, Coach has mentioned this word before, most recently in Yesterday’s write-up.

 

With every team that calls the Ranch their home, each coach has a roster.  From that roster we choose starters.  Yes, a goal is to win.  Notice Coach says a goal…not the goal.  Since Tennis is tied for the 20th most revenue generating sport in the Cowboy Nation, Coach feels he can say this without too many repercussions.  Yes Reader, Coach has nearly arrived. 

 

Tonight’s headline should have read:

 

“With exhaustive research, scouting and player profiling, Coach trimmed down the top 6 players enough to ensure a win, but only if the Cowgirls each played their special talent spot on the team against their dual team match v Western Guilford.”

 

Clearly, the Reader can see why he opted for the more direct message written as the opening line.

 

So….

Coach kept in the line-up:

Audrey Serb

Anna McGinnis

Rachael Dee

And Tamara Davis.

 

Lauren Harris too, but reserved for doubles only while she is still healing. 

Besty “Ross” Chen as well.  After an ankle scare last night v BMHS, Coach only wanted Betsy for either singles or Dubs.  Dubs it is!

 

Again…why?  Parity.

 

Audrey Serb blitzed the former #2 Lady Hornet 0 and 1.  Hope for the Lady Hornet quickly left one Audrey’s first serve landed in the box.  Though Coach asked if the 1 game credited to River was won by or donated to her, Audrey began pontificating about if the Great Pumpkin will rise over the pumpkin patch this year…..Coach wrote down “charity”, closed the book and walked away.

 

Anna McGinnis played a wonderful Lady Hornet named Nadia.  Former #7 to the Lady Hornets, Nadia shot for the moon, began lessons, and played in the JTT (Junior Team Tennis) last fall and in doing so, really pumped up her game and her position on the team.  The first set was relatively close initially.  Nadia hit out and found ways to get the ball into play, moving Anna around a bit, but more importantly, holding her back from really defining the match with her own game.  Yep, that didn’t last.  As a player, it is hard to sustain that level of play when playing a talent like Anna.  Anna’s shots, slowly at first and then quickening the slide, began to deteriorate Nadia’s game.  Though initially out ahead, Nadia began to lose faith in her own strokes and began playing Anna’s game.  Coach smiles big!  These two were close enough in skill that Coach knew if Anna could find her footing, there would be little her opponent could do to turn the tide coming in.  Down 1-3, Anna grabbed the next game and didn’t look back as she collected 4 more to complete the first set.  After a short 2nd set surge from Nadia, Anna closed the door completed and turned out the lights on Court 2 winning 3 and 1.

 

Rachael Dee played Lady Hornet Caroline – a consistent but not so much inventive player from WG.  If you remember from last night’s epic tale of Rachael, she had been boxed by Page, clawed back her hitting strokes against Bishop, and now had the chance to hit her game and influence another….and it worked.  The first set saw Rachael not exactly hitting hard, but issuing well placed shots down the line, cross court, and lovely rallies 6/7 and sometimes longer.  Rachael ended up blanking Caroline in the first set.  Quite frankly, we were all a bit surprised….then the second set came.  Silly second set surge.  Caroline got to work holding her serve, in fact, both Court 3 ladies held their serves.  Through challenging each other, rallies grew in length, corners back and forth, and shots rose in height and serves were held.  Always behind and having to serve for the tie, Rachael battled this new found optimism and footwork on the other side of the net when at 5 all, Rachael broke.  Up 6-5, Rachael had to serve for the match.  Betting windows were already closed for the night so Coach had to watch each pain staking point and longer and longer rallies.  Up, Down, score called and off an errant shot, the Lady Hornet, feet slowing considerably from the beginning of the 2nd set, faltered in her return handing Rachael a much-deserved win from a tough week of excellent play.  Rachael takes the match 6-0, 7-5.

 

Jada Speight played up from her traditional role of #6.  A new to the team and new to Tennis player, Jada played the young Ginger from last year’s incredible write-up concerning the adventures of Kate Cherry and the Battle Royale: Battle of the Gingers. Yes Reader, Ms. Cherry came out on top, once in a 3 set marathon and the next time in a more manageable, but still intense 2 setter.  Maggie (ging) was consistent and unbeknownst to Coach, had developed her shots even more to include deep angles and depth to her shots.  Jada, initially, was at a loss.  Jada ran, she hit, and it wasn’t working for the first three games of the match.  But the swell of energy began to dissipate slightly from the Lady Hornet and Jada found her footing.  Shots not as angled flowing over the net allowed Jada to impress upon Maggie her own special flourishes.  Angles continued, but this time from Jada.  Maggie, to her credit, ran them down and rallies were born.  It was a great match to watch.  Jada dialed in Maggie’s play and quickly equaled the score tally.  Holding her own and breaking once allowed Jada to take the first set 6-4.  Expecting a fast start from the Lady Hornet to begin the second set, Coach was left wanting.  Jada simply held and broke three times to give her a decisive victory 4 and 0. 

 

Tamara Davis took to the courts on 5.  Tamara’s mom and Anna’s mom were not in attendance due to their respective open houses tonight…they both teach the future…at elementary schools.  Yes, Bless them!  And the next time you think about them (and for all teachers and support staff), say a prayer.  Amen!  Coach hears school begins on Monday!

 

 

McFeeley (Keri) took to court 6.  Having never watched in full the Lady Hornet play, Coach was not pleased when he bore witness to a particularly vicious first serve and spin forehand coupled with a solid back hand.  This is Keri’s first year playing tennis with a heart of gold and a willingness to see it through.  Coach really wanted this win…either or both of Courts 5 and 6 to sum up the win before reaching dubs.  Keri fought.  Understand Keri is a true beginner.  This isn’t to spotlight anything but Keri’s heart and progress since tryouts.  Keri was simply over matched.  Her serve is a short toss and hit, oftentimes short in the box.  Keri is still developing a consistent forehand and backhand.  This did not look good….but it really didn’t turn out that bad.  Adjusting her positioning upon return and a short convo concerning a hitting strategy, Keri held her own.  No Reader, Keri did not win, rather kept in the game by running hard, getting out in front of the ball, and returning most shots.  Most were high and floated, but Keri had gotten them back….and not just once, but developing those longer rallies, rallies of 4 and 5 shots each.  Quite impressive for one of those Lax players.  HA!  Seriously, Keri did well.  The score…4-6, 3-6.  She held her own in the face of a much better player…nearly rivaling her with her beautiful heart, running legs and racquet skills. 

 

Tamara took to the courts playing, what turns out to be, a very consistent and energetic Lady Hornet.  Coach understands people improve, but Coach was taken back slightly by the amount of improvement the Lady Hornets had covered since last season.  Though almost exclusively down the middle of the court, long rallies were the delight of the thousands in attendance for Court 5.  Serving to stay in the match, Tamara faltered slightly and once on defense, was unable to close out her serve to hold the match at 5 all thus giving the Lady Hornet the 1st set.  Having something to prove, Tamara did battle once more.  Even Longer Rallies!!!!  This match was very competitive and so equal on skill level.  Holding through the first 9 games, Ms Davis began to feel tightness across her back.  Coach ran through the throngs (not thongs…that would be gross) of people to find the person with the Voodoo doll names T Davis, but apparently it was quick working magic.  Though having battles to a 5-4 lead on serve, Tamara’s focus lapse and pain mounted allowing the Lady Hornet to draw it to a tie and break Ms. Davis.  Final Score 4-6, 5-7.  Tamara played exceptionally well tonight!

 

Cowgirls were up 4-2 going into dubs.

 

Coach’s original thought was to win out in singles and then exit out a few of the ladies from the rotation and move up others to offer playing opportunities in varsity play.  Kudos to the Lady Hornets for foiling my plans.  Off to dubs!

 

Audrey and Anna combined for court 1.  It feels their match ended quicker than it took Coach to write this small part of the recap.  Veni, vidi, vici and it was over.  Once more the Cowgirls had the Lady Hornets number, blanking their opponents 8-0 in dubs action.

 

And with that win, sealed the deal for a Cowboy victory for the match overall. 

 

Excess, let’s win more!

 

Rachael and Betsy (remember she was waiting in the wings) combined for court 2 dubs.  Initially, it wasn’t good.  Coach would consider this a slow start.  If the Reader can recall the “Slow starts” Grace Parsons and Tran Nguyen were notorious for…..well, this was less…but no less of a gut punch.  Rachael and Betsy found themselves down 1-4 in the race to 8.  Though not impossible, the likelihood of a comeback reduces every time the opponent scores rise.  The Cowgirls held. 2-4.  Broke.  3-4.  Held again!  4-4.  Back on serve but ever behind the score continued to climb upwards. 

4-5

5-5

5-6

6-6

6-7

7-7

7-8……aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

8-8 and into a tiebreaker. 

 

These two managed a game plan on their own, adjusting it as needed, and came back to tie to force a tiebreak. 

 

It was close!  Rallies were good.  Baselines too!.  Net play was solid…and we came up short by two points losing the match 8-9 (5-7).  The final reflection simply had the Lady Hornets with a few less errors than the Cowgirls on dubs court 2.  Fantastic play by both teams.

 

Lauren rejoined for dubs with newcomer Jada Speight.  Having spent so much time on dubs court 2, by the time I was able to focus on Court 3 fully, the score was already 5-6.  A hold by the cowgirls and a break too, 7-6.  One more game and a win…..but no!  Parity was biting me in the donkey.  These two dubs teams (much like Court 2 dubs Betsy and Rachael) were very evenly matched.  Not able to hold serve after being up 30-15, this game’s loss brought the score to 7-7. 

The Lady Hornets hold. 

7-8

Jada holds after two Ad-out (advantage – think score plus with the next point clinching the game win…and the match!) points and creating one of her own with Lauren at the net, holds serve and brings back play from the depths of a match conclusion.  We are in the tiebreaker!

 

1-0

2-0

2-1

3-1

3-2

And the Cowgirls held court for the last 4 points to take the tiebreaker overall and thus, the Cowgirls take courts #3 in dubs tonight.  9-8 (7-2)

 

Wahoo!

 

9 matches with only two blowouts….don’t worry, Audrey already has a place to notch these two victories at home.

 

Yes, let’s shoot for the win, but let’s achieve that by playing people who match up very well against our Cowgirls.  One doesn’t “learn” by crushing one’s opponent(s).  It is fun to win big.  The competitive spirit flows…the “zone” never felt so good.  But little learning would have bee accomplished.  Tonight’s parity in play allowed Anna, Rachael, Jada, Tamara, Keri, Betsy and Lauren to play…but not just to play, almost forced them to raise their own game and play out of necessity rather from a relaxed position with the match well in hand.  In short, they had to learn how to win…what worked, what didn’t, and adjust on the fly.  Coach is always around, but this instilled a great sense of player maturity in each of these ladies….something that is very hard to come by crushing or being crushed.

 

Thank you for reading.  Coach will invite you back next Monday evening.

 

 

Audrey Serb (SW) over River Wood (WG) 6-0, 6-1

Anna McGinnis (SW) over Nadia Gherghe (WG) 6-3, 6-1

Rachael Dee (SW) over Caroline Allen (WG) 6-0, 7-5

Jada Speight (SW) over Maggie Scott 6-4, 6-0

Mary Jane "MJ" Brewer (WG) over Tamara Davis (SW) 6-4, 7-5

Josslyn Hizer (WG) over Keri McFeeley (SW) 6-4, 6-3

 

Serb/McGinnis (SW) over Ward/Gherghe (WG) 8-0

Allen/Scott (WG) over Dee/Betsy Chen (SW) 9-8 (7-5)

Lauren Harris/Jada Speight (SW) over Brewer/Hizer (WG) 9-8 (7-2)

 

Cowgirls pull off a narrow victory against the Lady Hornets of Western Western Guilford.

 

Lady Hornets fall to 4-2 overall and 0-2 in the conference.

 

Cowgirls raise their record to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

 

Cowgirls travel to Conference school Northern Guilford on Monday.  Play begins 5pm


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