Yesterday was our first match of the season. We lost 7-2 to the Warriors of Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC). LCSC has a preseason ranking of #16 nationally in NAIA and in the years I've coached at Whitman the closest we have come to beating them was 6-3.
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| 1 and 2 Dubs Returning Serve |
Well, you wouldn't have known that as we came out just as we needed to, super competitive in all 3 doubles matches, with a fourth as an exhibition that showcased a bit of the future (maybe quite near future) of our team. At one doubles, Courtney and Morgan teamed up to take on a team that has already scored victories over two D1 teams this spring. Not to be intimidated, I'm pretty sure no team ever had more than a one game lead at any point and down 6-7, the twins fought really well to level at 7-7 before some huge shotmaking from LCSC ended the match with a 9-7 score for the Warriors. As a team, they were dissapointed not to find a way to win, but both Courtney and Morgan displayed all their years of doubles training as well as executing shots and plays they have needed to improve. At two, we were on serve to 2-3, got down a break and that was all it took as the match finished 8-5 for LCSC; it is amazing how over three seasons Emily and Kate continue to grow together but maintain that amazing chemistry they've always had.
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| Lizzy and HP taking control |
Three was our highlight, but it didn't come without intrigue as we got up 6-1 and Lizzy and HP were totally rolling, then some big serving and close points started going the Warriors way and it was slowly but surely knotted at 6 all. Still confident, some clutch returning of their stronger server (today) had us up 7-6 with Lizzy serving for the match and with great teamwork, we pulled it out to keep the overall match close. At #4, Erin and Maddy played some terrific doubles, and like their fellow first years at #1 each of them had definitely improved in areas they have been working hard at, but it wasn't enough in this proset as they fell 8-3.
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| Maddy and Erin closing together |
Singles went on and at #1 Courtney and Dominika (the #10 player in the nation in NAIA) continued their battle from dubs with the first set edging 7-5 to the Slovakian who hits amazingly precise flat hard groundstrokes. The second set seemed more on Courtney's terms and some of the points were absolutely unreal - the sound of the ball coming off Dominika's racket and the screeching of Claw's shoes as she tracked balls and worked to gain the offensive were like music to a tennis lover's ears. Unfortunately, Courtney had to learn a few lessons in this tough straight set loss. Morgan at 2 faced a similar battle with a big hitter, and when she was executing well it was brilliant, but all credit to her opponent who gave her no room for error in a straight set win. Similar stories with Kate at 3 and Em at 4, but different flows to the matches as both Whitties seemed to gain strength as their matches went on and I was really proud of the composure each showed even as the scoreline went away from them. At 5, Hannah had a bit of a slow start in the first before a compelling second set with (I think) only one break of serve, it was a nice, mid match rebound from HP, but not quite enough to equal her doubles success. Lizzy, however, was not dissuaded after dropping the first set and she looked fresh and ready as she moved through a tough opponent 6-3 in the third.
In exhibition matches, Sara showed many points of brilliance, and good composure against a very seasoned and tough player. Erin then had the opportunity to play a proset with the same player and like HP, it took her a while to get going, but in the end they traded games and Erin learned a ton from this match, mostly that her game is already where it needs to be in so many ways. A definite highlight of the afternoon's tennis was Maddy at #8 singles blowing her opponent out of the water with a 6-1,6-1 win. Maddy came in this year thinking of herself as a doubles player (which she really is great at), but the way she stayed focused and followed her gameplan point after point was terrific to see.
Overall, it was a joy to compete and LCSC provides a team that really brings a great effort, terrific skill and wonderful sportsmanship every time. I love the way this group competed and really look forward to starting our conference and DIII season this Saturday at Linfield.
Here is this weekends schedule:
Saturday at Linfield 10am
Sunday vs LaVerne at the Courthouse club in Salem 4pm warmup so start between 4:30-5
Monday vs Willamette at the Courthouse 11am warmup start between 11:30-12
