It turns out that Mother Nature was everyone's valentine in Walla Walla this year. Yesterday we were treated to a sunny,warm February day and played back to back matches on our outdoor courts in the middle of campus.
In the first match, the team displayed our depth and poise in knocking off PLU 9-0. What was most impressive to me was the focus and composure throughout the match from everyone wearing a Whitman uniform.
In the afternoon match, we played LCSC, a very talented team from Lewiston, ID. LCSC brought plenty of players and everyone was able to get a match in. The level of play on each doubles court was high, and at #1 and #2, we fell 8-4 and 8-2 as LCSC stepped up at all the right moments, but we felt like the scores could have easily been flipped. In the #3 and #4 doubles both Kate/Charlotte and Dena/Lauren jumped ahead and held on to win 8-5 and 8-6 with great teamwork and communication.
In singles, we had a rough time at 4-8 on the scoresheet, but battled all the way enjoying the high level of tennis. The #3 match was close throughout two sets and went to a match break, which Div won with tremendous point building and strong finishing. The match of the day was a baseline slugfest at #1 with Alyssa hitting her stride in the first set against a very smart and talented player to win 6-4. The second was also tight and down 2-3 with her opponent serving, Alyssa battled through the longest game of the match with incredible long points and more deuces than I could count before earning the break through some inspired shotmaking. That game took its toll as she was broken right back. At 3-4, with both teams cheering under the lights, Alyssa re-focused and steadily fought through the final 3 games to win 6-4.
The overall score of 3-6 was an improvement from last year and a great learning experience and to be this proud of not only how well we played but also of our team unity this early on in the season is amazing.
It was an emotional day for all Whitties, and everyone supported each other tremendously well.
Enjoy your valentines day and the three day weekend if you have it.
-Coach Hein
