Spring Break Recap

Hello out there,

As I write this from the airport so much has happened since I last posted.  First, I apologize, I had a SB2014 preview written up but never uploaded it; I guess having too much fun on court and on our trip is a good thing, but apologies for that.

This season is so exciting for us on the team.  I really see us having turned a corner in how our program goes about our business.  We strive to maintain the family atmosphere, support, sportsmanship and FUN that are hallmarks of WC Tennis.  After two amazing seasons earning a national ranking and competing in NCAA's, we could have sat back and been satisfied or pushed on to see just how great we can be...guess what we chose.

Of course a group of talented, hard working, competitive young women would set our sights high.  It's exactly what I want as a coach of a program that is pursuing the national championship.  So, after showing our depth in conference rotating lineups, we were honored to get scheduled with some of the best programs in the country.  On the trip we went 1-4, posting a convincing win against NAIA Biola, dropping three lopsided matches to top 10 teams but feeling so close that we can taste that level, and then having one knock down drag out match against a team at a very similar level to us with #30 Denison coming out ahead 6-3.

The match recaps can be found on our school webpage thanks to the outstanding work of Jordan Paden and writing by Roy Elia.  What I want to share with you from this trip is a little insight into our family.  I call it family because not only is the team family, but our parents, siblings, friends, aunts uncles, alums and everyone who is a part of our lives becomes a part of our team family.  Our experience this week was amazing, we competed incredibly hard, played outstanding tennis, learned many lessons and had a ton of fun together.  It would not have been nearly the success it was without our families.  Thank you Annie and Bob Webster for unreal hospitality and match support.  We also made a day up the coast and had so much fun with the Dobrin's, who also really brought the positive vibes to our matches.  Anne Bell, Alice Allick and the whole Palkowitz family you guys were all amazing giving us a lift each day and making it feel like home on the road.

To walk you through the week, we finished midterms and powered our weary minds through two NWC victories on our lovely outdoor courts.  With a day off we flew to California for a match with #7 Bowdoin.  The Polar Bears were tough and deep, winning 9-0 with a huge highlight being Jenna's first set against a top 50 player.  She couldn't quite pull out the tiebreak, but with Morgan out, Jenna stepped into the 2 spot and Erin into #3 and both played wonderfully.  Maddy was our Whittie of the Match with intense high level doubles and great maturity and smarts in singles; she is also our most vocal supporter and we love her energy on court as much as her big shots.

After a day off, we started the first Hen Athena Classic in Claremont.  Huge thanks to the CMS and PP coaches and players for opening up their facilities not just for dual matches, but for a tournament of dual matches.  So, while there were not brackets and a ton of teams played over three days, there was a fun evening of food and coaches doubles (CPatt stepped up and we had so much fun playing) as well as sportswoman of the day awards and a championship for the team with the best winning percentage over the weekend.

We started with Denison on Friday.  What a battle!  We could have come out stronger in dubs, but they were really solid and Erin and Tree saved us a point at #2 to keep us in it, then spread out with the 6 singles and plenty of exhibitions, we started clawing our way back (pun intended) as CLaw took her match in straight sets to make it 2-2.  Erin's opponent stepped up and put DU back up 3-2 with a straight set win and Allie was right in both sets losing 6-4,6-4 putting our backs against the wall 2-4.  So, with Morgan, Jenna and Maddy each splitting sets, we knew we had a chance, but needed all three.  The tennis on court 2 with Jenna was incredible and back and forth, Morgan looked strong to start her third going up 4-1; unfortunately, after an amazing second set from Maddy, Denison came back strong and clinched the match at #5.  The remaining matches were split giving DU a 6-3 win.  The match took almost 5 hours of hotly contested tennis.  I hate to lose, but love these intense matches and am so impressed not just with the heart and character of our team, but also with the level of tennis!  Lil Mo was awarded the sportswoman of the day for her amazing effort, playing through pain to win the longest match of the day, all while exhibiting the class and respect that we see each day. Congrats Morgan who was also our Whittie of the Match for her inspiring performance.

Saturday morning was a different story.  Amherst is ranked #4, but is absolutely one of the top teams in the country.  They were clinical in executing in both doubles and singles and it was a match we learned a lot from because we saw in them a more polished version of ourselves which will be motivating as we enter the home stretch of the season.  Bouncing back from a tough day, Erin demonstrated amazing composure both with Tree in doubles and in singles not just fighting but starting to be able to change gears in matches but also trust her usual plays.

Sunday against Pomona Pitzer, we knew we were facing one of the top teams in the West who will challenge anyone in the country and had already defeated Bowdoin 5-4, Redlands 5-4 and #6 Middlebury 8-1.  Undaunted, we came out with intensity and played a match that was much closer than the 8-1 score would indicate.  Certainly, PP plays terrific doubles and carried that momentum into singles, but the tennis was so competitive and was highlighted by a wonderful match at #1 that Courtney pulled out in a third set match tie break.  Seeing Courtney play her tennis is always so much fun to watch and this was a day where she wouldn't have gotten the win without really stepping up and she did that by executing the plays she has worked so hard on in practice.  Courtney was our Whittie of the Match and Jenna was named Sportswoman of the day by the tournament committee for her high level of play, wonderful fight and unwavering positive and respectful spirit in intense situations.  I'm so honored to have so many players who exhibit these qualities daily and to play with opponents who do the same.

The week was a great success and we are proud of what we accomplished but also remain hungry to improve and earn more matches with top teams because we know the breakthrough on the scoreboard is coming.

Thanks again to all of those who supported us from near and far, the families who helped keep us fed, housed and happy and the opponents who shared such wonderful competition with us.

We are off for a week and then host two home weekends and have one more road trip in our quest for a NWC title and to host the conference tournament (we are currently 6-0 in NWC play).

Best wishes to all!
Coach John