Whitties Demonstrate Toughness in California

Hello all,

I put up a quick post on facebook about our Spring Break trip and will provide some more details here.  I don't have photos, as I didn't bring a camera but will hopefully get some from parents and players and start posting them on our flickr page and facebook soon.

Coming into the season with a team that achieved so much last year, gaining our first national ranking in years and NCAA tournament win in program history, we could have been satisfied, but we chose to test ourselves.  The players wanted as many tough matches as we could get to show everyone what we know we're capable of and by playing 3 top 15 teams, a top 30 team who could be in the top 15 and an unranked team that is capable of beating top 30 teams; this was certainly the challenge we wanted.  We came away from this trip with so many great memories, so much to be proud of and still a lot to learn from going forward.

As I wrote, our trip in Southern California was amazing.  Great weather, awesome competition and wonderful family and friend support led to a ton of fun, a solid win over regionally ranked UT Tyler and a huge win over #13 Trinity.  As we transitioned to NorCal, new rankings came out with Redlands at #13, Trinity at #14 and us and UCSC remaining at #27 and #28 as little had happened through Sunday which was the ranking cutoff date, except Redlands beat Trinity.

In Santa Cruz, the Slugs were fired up to get back at us for beating them at NCAA's last year and in Walla Walla in February.  The doubles were great with all three tightly contested and the quality of doubles was terrific.  Unfortunately, after positive starts, we dropped close matches at 2 and 3 and were down 4-7 at #1.  Things looked bleak before Alyssa and Courtney showed what they can do with a huge comeback to get to a tie break where they had a match point before losing.  Being down 3-0 can be a terrible feeling, but the belief was high in ourselves as we entered singles and every match was a battle.  Courtney and Alyssa scored big wins at the top, but UCSC stepped up everywhere else to take the match 7-2.

The next day was our last day of the trip and just like a week ago, we had lost to a great team and then got to play the #13 team in the country.  Unlike the Trinity match where we were terrific in doubles, we came out with good energy but just misfiring too often against very solid teams at #1 and #2.  At #3, Katrina and Kate showed amazing fight after being down a break to get it back and force a tie break.  This was the kind of moment we needed as our freshmen stepped up with big tennis to win the match and get us on the board down 1-2 after doubles.

In singles, our top 3 were so resolved and all won their first sets.  As #4-6 were all matched up against very tough opponents, we knew it would be hard to pull one out.  Kate KP and Jenna both battled super hard in each set but dropped straight set matches, though I loved seeing Jenna hit her shots and play her game more and more as she develops into consistently being the player I know she is.  #5 was perhaps one of Redlands' best spots and Rubes played her tennis in spurts, but couldn't quite keep the score close to allow herself a chance to gain control of the momentum. Rubes had an awesome Spring break and while she too is learning to maintain her level consistently, her growth as a player has been phenomenal and she has the promise to keep getting better and better. After straight set losses at 4-6, we were down 5-1 before Courtney won a 10 point tie break by a 10-1 score showing her fitness at the end of a long week, Alyssa won 4 and 4 with a huge running forehand passing shot on match point and Morgan also gutted out a 10 point tie break win where her mental toughness and ability to stick with her game earned her the Whittie of the Match from Em and I.

Certainly there is always disappointment in a 5-4 loss, but not only on this day, but throughout the week, we showed that our foundation of teamwork, support, fitness and great tennis can not just play with but earn wins against this level of national competition.  We also learned a ton about specific things to improve upon and will head home after a much deserved week off this week. Yes, Whitman has a 2 week break so we get to play all these matches and give the team a break which is so important.  I know the next time we face teams of this level we will be improved at every spot because that is the character of this team.  We also have more depth than ever and teamwork and support are just the beginning of what HP, Liv and Maggie provided this week.  Hannah has worked really hard to come back from her fall abroad and with such a strong group of first year players she has been diligent and patient with herself as she not only gets her game back but keeps improvin .   Liv and Mags also played some of their best tennis which will keep our practices productive and competitive and make us better each day and I can't say enough about the guidance, leadership and coaching that Emily is providing, thanks Em!

It's hardly been any time off, but I can't wait to get back to work next week and to reconnect with all of these outstanding young women.  Some people have asked how it is to spend 9 days on the road with the team, and I can only say that it couldn't have been more fun to be a part of this team, to compete with such amazing athletes and to spend time with such wonderful people.  I'm loving it!

Thanks so much to Derry for helping at Redlands as well as all of the Whitman students and friends of our team who came out to watch everywhere we went.  The family thing we have going was also reflected in our amazing team families who came out every match.  It was so special to see you all and share this great week of tennis and fun with you.

-John