September 25, 2023

Cowgirls lose to the Lady Falcons of SEG in w tennis conference action

Having lost to SEG previously this season…and having maxed out our talent last go against a vastly improved team from last season, tonight was as expected.

Anna minced few words in describing her play tonight.  To paraphrase…”I didn’t want to hit the higher balls.  I wanted to play my game.”  This best describes the top three play tonight.  Anna, Evelyn, and Rachael all have improved their play throughout this season.  They are hitting deeper, harder, and with more spin.  The opponents they are facing off against, well, are really good too.  This harder, faster, more spin game is right up their alley and as such, they play really well against the Cowgirls. 

Once more, all three played well.  It was simply not enough against the depth of Lady Falcon talent tonight.

Church was in every point on court 4.  Though the score flipped from last time she played the Lady Falcon, she still managed to push through 4 games with looks at multiple more games.  Though limited in spin, Church did very well extending out the points and moving her opponent around…forcing her to play Church’s speed and style.

Bella and Christman swapped tonight based on last weeks challenge and play.  We will revert these two back v Grimsley. 

Christman pushed hard into the first set before losing 5-7.  Consistency and footwork was a bit off in compared to the Lady Falcon.  The Lady Falcon #6 had a different style of play that Caroline was unable to negate for the win.

Bella, court 5, traded service games the first set up to the 9^th game.  A break, Bella drops the first 4-6.  Tight, yes.  The ginger opponent wanted this victory.  She was hitting far harder than first outing against Christman.  With consistency up and her forceful forehand top spin hitting its mark, there was little Bella could do save for playing a losing game of keep away.  Second set began, Coach shared his unopened fortune cookie with Bella.  Either the fortune rang true or the lucky lotto numbers inspired her.  Bella jumped out to a 3-0 lead before allowing a hold and break from her opponent.  Coach once more reminder of the turtle.  Something about slow and steady….cooks the turtle soup the best.  3-2,4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 5-4…one more game if she could hold on.  Serving at 15-40, Bella holds.  30-40.  A rip down the line.  Tied at 5 all.

Coach encouraged as he could…but this was down to Bella. 

Coach began focusing on the other courts.  Coach is apparently allergic to stressful situations, hence the reason why he teaches…a no stress job by all accounts.

What’s this?!?!  A tiebreaker?!?!?!  In truth, they both held their next serve each.

6-6.  Coach warned Bella to draw her opponent into the points, forcing the ging to outplay her.  After splitting the first two points, Bella strung off 6 points in a row to clench the second set and force the third set tiebreak.  The Lady Falcon grabbed her bag thinking Bella had won it all – heading off the court.  Not quite yet.  Boach Coaches directed the young falcon back out to play the third set. 

The Lady Falcon had gotten tired.  Her shots were rushed.  Her footwork was off, but she still had a vicious forehand that Bella could not compete against. 

0-1

What should have been 1-1 became 0-2 and then 0-3.

Fatigue.  Stress.  Forgetfulness of the score. 

1-3

2-3

2-4 – swap sides

Points traded

5-7.

And that was all she wrote.  Bella, once more, went on a great run taking the last 5 shots in a row and winning against a talented lady falcon 10-7 in the third.

Well played Bella!

SEG, having won the match, moved up their dubs teams and allowed a senior to play on court 3 as part of their dubs.

Once more, Coach decided to change up the dubs lineup for this week.

So….McKnight/Church, McGinnis/Johnson, Dee/Christman

McKnight and Church drew the elder Penn and new partner Trinitee (singles court 4).  Though no longer the Penn sister duo, these two proved worthy of their placement.  McKnight and Church, due to the power exhibited on the other side of the net, played back.  Coach agrees it was the smart play.  Trying to negate the skilled and fast topspin assaults from the Lady Falcons, these Cowgirls were able to control the depth and placement of the ball better than front back formation.  In short, the Cowgirls earned 4 games and drew to deuce three other times before falling 4-8.  Evelyn’s more consistent and relaxed play coupled with Church’s depth proved a good combo for tonight. 

McGinnis and Johnson got off to a slow start.  Not quite …..squirrell!......but clearly not as focused as needed.  Play was attempted, but the two teams simply traded serves and points.  Kudos to the Lady Falcons for their efforts in earning their games.  At 5-4, the Cowgirls became a team.  Points were coordinated and rallies had a direction and conclusion.  The Cowgirls spin off the last 4 games to clinch dubs #2 8-4.

So too for the team of Rachael/Christman.  These two Cowgirls got into their game a bit faster and were rewarded as much for their early efforts.  Feeling their opponents out in the first 3/4 games, the Cowgirls took charge of the remainder of the play with little input allowed from the Lady Falcons.  They put their opponents away 8-2 to earn the “W.”

In short, the Cowgirls played their games, grew their shot confidence, and experienced a different side of dubs tonight.

The Cowgirls lose tonight’s match 3-6 and move to 8-10 overall, 3-8 in the conference.

Anuluck N (SEG) over Anna McGinnis (SW) 6-1 6-2
Kennedy Penn (SEG) over Evelyn McKnight (SW) 6-1, 6-1
Jordan Penn (SEG) over Racheal Dee (SW) 6-0, 6-0
Trinitee Conngton (SEG) over Caroline Church (SW) 6-3, 6-1
Allysen Hardie (SEG) over Bella Johnson (SW) 6-4, 7-6, 1-0
Cassie Huffschmitt (SEG) Over Caroline Christman (SW) 7-5, 6-2

K Penn/Covington (SEG) over McKnight/church (SW) 8-4

McGinnis/ Johnson (SW) over Hardie/ Huffschwit (SEG) 8-4

Dee/ Christman (SW) over Asia Bridgeford/ Amaya Coleman (SEG) 8-2

The Cowgirls will travel to Grimsley on Wednesday to take on the Lady Whirlies beginning 5pm.

Rachael’s bday is Wednesday as well.  If you see her in the hallway this week, wish her a great B-day week!

Thursday, the Cowgirls are at home where they will face off against the Lady Villians of Bishop McGuiness.  This is also staff and family night for W tennis.  Bring a chair, bring a snack, bring a cup or an appropriate beverage.  Coach hopes it to be a competitive night of tennis!