Cowgirls over the Lady Tigers of Ragsdale 8-1 in conference tennis action

Splitting matches last season, Ragsdale and SW were neck and neck in the standings…of course, SW was just ahead. This season, Ragsdale’s program was down a bit.

Returning only one player from last season (#2 last season to #1 this season), the New Coach had her work cut out for herself.  Finding a few uncut, raw diamonds from the student population…well, let’s just call this a rebuilding season for the Tigers.

Audrey went on and during her play…..[off camera] what is it?  She is already off the court?  Oh. She won right?  Good.  She just overwhelmed her opponent….no drama….no mess or fuss?  OK.  I will tell the reader then.  Audrey came, she saw, she conquered. 

Let’s hear about #2 Lauren Harris then.

Lauren went on and during her play if was a rough start of the match.  Down initially to a competitive but non-power player, Lauren had a time finding her groove in the first set.  Initially down in serves and breaks, She found her footing, began to run and not overhit, keeping the ball in play…rallying as she went, Lauren edged up from 4-5 to 6-5 after holding and breaking back.  On the Tiger’s serve, Lauren hit well and took the first set 7-5.

The bounce…or more so, the lull.  After coming off an impressive first set, Lauren seemed to be moving in slow motion.  Balls that were well within reach became a distant wish and the hitting suffered too.  1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 2-5, 2-6 loss in the second set. 

Now in the tiebreaker the young Tiger had already spent her energy.  Though the Tiger was hitting well, Lauren found the opportune time to find her own second wind.  Pushing and some hitting from the Tiger, but few cross court or with any real power, Lauren was able to jump to a commanding lead in the race to 10.  Finding fresh feet and legs, she was able to step over or run to most balls.  Serves were no longer a struggle after taking a bit off of the pace to ensure they landed in.  In short, Lauren played a beautiful tiebreaker taking it 10-3.    7-5, 2-6, 1-0 (10-3)

Anna’s hitting was focused during warm up…fell briefly in the opening game, picked back up to take the first set, lulled once more, and then finally raised back and finished strong.  Anna simply played her game and when it became a bit off, she stepped back, took a breath, and carried on.  For the most park, Anna’s spin game was on.  She is still working out the transitions from a more powerful stroke…topspin…both sides to a shorter back spin…again, both sides, in quick succession.  Simply a skillset she will learn to master in the closing weeks of season.  Easy win for the Cowgirl – 6-1, 6-2.

Rachael’s first set was tough.  Distractions were plenty…shots weren’t falling…the score was near 2-5 while hope continued to bleed out of the situation.  Coach was called.  In short, distractions were moved, focus restored, opportunities clarified concerning play.

No, a miracle come back in the 1^st didn’t happen, but dropping the first set, Rachael was able to fresh start on the second…benefiting from the second set bump in play herself and the second set slump from her opponent.  Almost as quickly as her opponent won the first, Rachael did so in the second set.  With a much clearer mind, Rachael set her sights on the 10 point tiebreaker. 

Coach will let the score count speak for itself.

1-0

2-0

2-1

3-1

4-1

5-1

5-2

6-2

7-2

7-3

7-4

7-5

8-5

9-5

9-6

9-7

10-7 for the win.

That Rachael began the match with too much on her mind is so minimal to what she was able to do once those burdens were lifted from her shoulders.  Well done Rachael.  You played a great game today.  2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-7)

Betsy had an easier time than both Rachael and Lauren.  Though playing against a less powerful player stroke-wise, Betsy set her mind to move and keep the ball in play…pushing where she could and holding where she could not.  Lots of Running for Betsy tonight…not because of the sheer skill of her opponent, but the inconsistency of her strokes.  Betsy simply addressed each ball in turn and came away with a 6-1, 6-0 victory.

Jada too had the match well in hand from the get-go.  Able to control the pace and depth of play readily, Jada only had to keep the ball in play, pushing it deep on the initially rally and serves to gain the upper hand and eventually the match, 0 and 0. 

Taking the match 6-0 in Singles allowed Coach the enviable position of moving out the #1 dubs of Audrey and Anna to allow more hitting to #2 dubs Rachael and Betsy and #3 dubs of Jada and Caroline Church by allowing them to play up for the evening.  This in turn made it possible to re-introduce the talents of Riley Roberson and Nicole Blue, both Juniors, back in the #3 dubs spot.

Rachael and Betsy played an inspired game….once they began really playing.  Down 1-5, the Cowgirls regrouped and began playing for real.  Holding serve and breaking twice allowed the Cowgirls to cozy up on the score placards to the Tigers.  Still down one break, the Cowgirls remained close in play and score.  Down the line passing shots looked great tonight as well as the overall serving from the two, but in the end the Tigers edged the Cowgirls 6-8 in dubs play.  Please remember this is the Cowboys #2 dubs against the Tiger’s #1 dubs team.  After the match Coach assured the Cowgirls of there great accomplishment…coming back from such a scoring deficit to all but tie a very skilled duo from Ragsdale…and, the next time we play, we will once again blitz them in singles to allow this #2 /#1 match up to see how high the Cowgirls can achieve once they have a few more weeks of skills building beneath their collective belts. 

Jada and Church partnered up to play up against the Tiger’s #2 dubs team.  Though not the same caliber as Tiger’s #1 dubs team, the Tiger’s played with heart.  Movement was limited as was their hitting allowing the Cowgirls ample opportunity to fine tune their play.  Yes, the Cowgirls made mistakes and true a few were bigger than small, but the Cowgirls were able to identify their own mistakes, talk it out between themselves and follow through with a plan of action…which they executed very well.  8-1 to the Cowgirls.

Riley and Nicole, having only posted their first varsity wins back against Cornerstone and HPC with different partners, began playing against a new opponent.  Though these two Tigers had only recently began their tennis journey, so too for the limited match play experienced Cowgirls.

Dropping the first two games…meaning the Cowgirls dropped their own serve (nervous tension was high), the two Cowgirls found their footing.  Holding, breaking, and repeating these two items twice more, allowed the Cowgirls (and Coach) breathing room.  Though having played in exhibition in weeks prior, these two had never taken to the courts as partners….so lots of new territory and communication to explore.  Allowing only one more hold of service for the Tigers, the Cowgirls take the match 8-3.  Though not a perfect match, the ladies had already analyzed their own match before Coach got to them to chat.  Communication and movement topped the list while hitting, serves overall, and net play were highlights for these two.  Coach agreed. 

Cowgirls take the Lady Tigers 8-1 in conference Tennis action.

Singles

Audrey Seb(SW) over Ella Perez (R) 6-0, 6-0

Lauren Harris (SW) over Cameryn Wright (R) 8-5, 2-6, 1-0(10-5)

Anna McGinnis (SW) over Claudia Brewer (R) 6-1, 6-2

Rachael Dee (SW) over Ava Tracy (R) 2-6, 6-3, 1-0(10-7)

Betsy's Chen (SW) over Anissa Shah (R) 6-1, 6-0

Jada Speight (SW) over Caroline Murrillo(R) 6-0, 6-0

Dubs

Perez/Wright (R) over Dee/Chen (SW) 8-6

Speight/Caroline Church (SW) over Brewer/Tracy (R) 8-1

Riley Robinson / Nicole Blue (SW) over Shah/Murrillo(R) 8-3

Cowgirls take the match 8-1

They rise to 4-2 in conf and 7-3 overall.

Ragsdale falls to 0-5 in conference and 0-6 overall

Cowgirls JV travel to Page tomorrow

Cowgirls travel to Northwest on Monday