Mother's Day Tennis Love

Happy Mothers Day!

This is a recap post, but I'll start by thanking all the Mom's out there, especially of our WhitWomen's Tennis team and mostly my Mom for always being there for me - Mom, you're the best!

Well, our team season concluded yesterday with a hard fought round of 32 match with the Athena's of CMS.  Coming off an inspiring 5-4 win over UT Tyler in the first round of NCAA's, we carried our intensity and fight into yesterday's match with the #5 ranked team in the country.

After dropping one doubles quickly to an on fire CMS team, two and three doubles showcased our growth that we can play with anyone at any spot in the lineup.  Allie and Morgan have only played one match and a few practices together as Morgan spent the latter part of the season recovering from a groin pull.  They got down 6-2, but the fire was lit and it was unreal to see Morgan leading them and Allie showing off her MUCH improved doubles.  In the end they fell 7-9, but showed that our doubles future is so bright!  At two, our most consistent team of Erin and Katrina started with amazing energy to go up 3-0, then CMS fought back to 3-3 and the battle was on.  Trading games it was inspiring to see how our team embraced the moment to earn a huge hold at 6-6 and a break to win 8-6 and get us on the board.

Singles was intense from the start.  The Athenas are so good because they are solid up and down the lineup, but at 4 and 5 especially, they are wonderful experienced singles players and our newcomers Erin and Allie played like veterans fighting and staying focused on the moment, but each of them fell by deceiving straight set scores. So, down 4-1 with Maddy the only one up a set, I was again so impressed with our effort.  Many teams would go away, but we fought and scrapped with Jenna going up a break in the second set, Courtney showing her patented determination to will herself from being down a set and 4-5 to a 7-5 second set.  Morgan dropped an intense long first set and then was down 1-4.  Morgan, even still not 100% with her leg is one of the best fighters in the business and she came up with some shots and gets that were inspiring as she fought back to 4-4 in the second set.  Unfortunately it wasn't enough as her opponent stepped up to win 6-4 and clinch the match.

Overall, the tournament was such a great way to end a phenomenal season.  How much the team enjoyed the process of setting lofty goals and doing the work to get better every day was incredible.  We hold our heads high with much pride for what we've done and would have wanted more tennis as it would mean more time together.  So, there is a mix of finality with the end of Hannah, Maggie and Olivia's college tennis careers.  I'm so proud as they were a huge part our development from a competitive team in conference to a regular national contender.  Even more than that, they exemplify what it means to not only grow your tennis, but grow as teammates and people.  I'm so proud of them as they near graduation and very bright futures as intelligent, respectful, talented leaders.

This year has also seen the emergence of Chelsea Patton as a coach.  In her first year coaching, C Patt had an incredible impact on our team, adding intensity to everything while teaching the team not just how to get better on court, but how to give your whole heart, mind and body to something.  Congrats on an amazing season Coach Patton!

We also can never say enough what it means to have our incredible support system, so on Mother's day I am so happy to have had a terrific family and friend presence at the matches.  Thanks to the Wallin, Dobrin, Allick, Palkowitz, Bell and Webster families for cheering us on at NCAA's!  You're all so outstanding.

So concludes a terrific season and we look forward to summer adventures and an even bigger year next year as we return the bulk of our team and welcome a strong class of first year players.  BUT....

we're not done yet!  Courtney will be competing at NCAA individual nationals, right back at the CMS courts in Claremont CA Thursday through Saturday May 22-24th!

Happy Mothers Day!
Coach John