 |
| Leah and Mike Siegel...We also celebrated Leah's Birthday this week! |
So, at the start of March, with a great set of matches on tap and a team that has really committed so much to the process of being a top DIII team, we welcomed family, friends and fans to Walla Walla.
 |
| Divneet Kaur Class of 2010 |
Friday, after a short week of practice, we took on UPS in the Bratton Tennis Center. The support from the fans was great and right from the start of doubles, we brought a terrific composure and excitement to our play. We had three doubles on with Elise and Alyssa putting together one of their cleanest performances of the season at #1 winning 8-0 quickly. At #2, UPS had a pair of tough freshmen who we'll continue to see good things from for 4 years, but once Em and Kate got rolling, they didn't look back in winning 8-3. Emily has been one of our best doubles players for two seasons now and more and more, we're seeing not just teamwork, but also Kate really taking charge with her improved shots and this was a case where they both got going at the same time. At #3, Hannah was still rehabbing her ankle and Leah stepped in with Lizzy and they came out really strong going up a break 5-2. At that point, UPS really stepped up and while we had chances, they stormed back for an 8-6 win. Meanwhile, Olivia was getting some great exhibition singles in, dropping an 8-4 proset that our talented Jan start will no doubt learn from.
Singles was great as we swept the 1-3 matches with Emily blending offense and defense beautifully and Elise and Alyssa demonstrating the hard work they've put in to elevate their games. I was super proud of Kate at #4 for gutting out a first set in a tiebreak and then continuing her solid play to win in straight sets. Lizzy fought back from down a set to win in a match tie break, again showing great composure and athleticism and while Hadley played the same player Olivia played in an exhibition, Maggie got her first shot at a top six singles match. The 6-2,6-2 score gives credit to a smart match from UPS first year Marissa Friedman, but seeing Maggie handle the occasion and keep consistent focus throughout the match was really special.
It wasn't mid April, but it is Walla Walla, so after overnight showers dampened the courts, the sun came out and let us play outside. With Ankeny field and the library right at the heart of campus with our courts, it is an active place and our fans and students combined with the rematch of last years NWC tournament final made for a great atmosphere for a big match with Whitworth.
As with UPS, Alyssa and Elise played really solid doubles, winning 8-3. Unfortunately, I think Kate felt some of the growing pains of having improved so much so fast as she and Em were so close to starting the match off with a break. Actually had any of the first few games gone our way, they were playing well enough to win, but Whitworth really played a steady match and rolled to an 8-1 win. At #3 doubles, HP was back and showed a lot of heart and with limited mobility, she and Lizzy battled to a 4-8 defeat so we entered singles down 2-1. Meanwhile, Leah and Olivia lost 8-4 in an exhibition at #4 where they played the kind of doubles I think they need to, which will benefit them both a ton in the long run.
Just like Friday evening, it was Show Pony racing out to grab us some momentum. I'm not sure she lost a point in the first 3 games against one of the better #2 players in the conference. After being up 3-0 she found out why Ally Marshall is so good and had to battle to take the first 6-4 but tightened things up in the second to win 6-4,6-1. Next to her, Emily's doubles struggles carried over just enough into singles where Erica Bosman presented a great challenge as she has been playing very well at #2 and #3 this year for Whitworth. Em fought hard, but her tennis wasn't flowing like it has been recently as she lost in straight sets. Elise also lost in straight sets at #1, but the 6-3,6-3 score doesn't tell you what kind of a battle was going on. These are two of the best players in the conference and in my mind two of the best sportswomen as well. It was special to see the fans continually respond to the high level of tennis, sportsmanship and effort provided by these two seniors.
Whitworth is a deep team and both Lizzy and Maggie as well as Olivia and Hadley found that they are right in these matches and they all came to me after with eager attitudes about what they can do to learn from these matches, which combined with the 100% effort I saw, makes me so happy as a coach.
Allright, you've read this far so I'll give you a little background on #4 singles. Both Kate and Katie Staudinger of Whitworth are from Yakima, WA. That they ended up playing each other in this match was really exciting for Kate because they both are fierce competitors who make me wonder what is in the water in Yakima that breeds such amazing athletes. The first set absolutely lived up to expectation with Kate clawing her way to serve 5-4 only to have Katie battle to 5-5. The seesaw continued and Kate went up a break 6-5. Serving for the set a second time, Kate was incredibly confident and not only served it out but continued her strong play in the second set to win 7-5, 6-0! This concluded a terrific weekend of singles for Kate and had us right in the match, but if you've read Dave Holden's article (thanks Dave!) or have done a little math, you'll know that the defending conference champs left Walla Walla with a well deserved 6-3 win.
 |
| Family and Alumni Dinner |
Stay tuned for more from this awesome group and thanks to everyone who supported us this weekend.
John
