Looking Back on an Amazing Season

We have just returned home to Walla Walla for the end of finals, camp Whitman and graduation.  We had hoped to also be preparing for a team trip to the national final 8 in Kalamzoo, MI, but a tough first round regional match ended our team season.  Fortunately, Alyssa and Courtney will be playing doubles and Courtney will be playing singles at the individual Nationals in Kzoo after graduation.

This season was truly special for this team.  After breaking into the national rankings and NCAA tournament last year, the team challenged themselves to keep growing on and off court and the result was the most special season of tennis I've ever had.  Our team is evolving each year and as good as it was last year and the year before, somehow it feels better and better to be a part of Whitman tennis.  Always known for great sportsmanship, support of each other and fun at all times; the level of play keeps going up and with it, the bonds between these young women become visibly stronger.  Because we performed so well and love being together so much, losing the other day was hardest because it meant the end of the season together.

That end came at the hands of a very deep and consistent Redlands team.  They are a focused hard working team who stayed really tough after winning #2 doubles but being down 7-6 at #3 and 8-7 at #1.  Both Redlands teams dug in to get the doubles sweep and put us in a huge 0-3 hole.

We still had belief going into singles and at #6 KKP jumped out to an early 3-1 lead, Jenna and Morgan were battling and Courtney took the first set with Alyssa at 5-4.  Maddy, Tree and HP provided amazing support and Rubes had high school friends from 3 schools in California cheering her on.  But as Jenna played a brilliant tie break to win a long opening set,  KKP, Rubes and Morgan were each down a set so we needed some 3 set magic and a solid win from Alyssa.  In a scary moment, Alyssa turned her ankle up 5-4 30-15 in the first set and after a tape job and a lot of courage, she lost the first 5-7.  Totally up against the wall, everyone fought so hard and played some of their best in the end, but both Morgan's and Kate R's opponents were on fire and took straight set wins to end the match and our team season.

Out of about 340 teams in DIII, we know only one end the season in celebration and we credit Redlands with playing some clutch doubles and tough singles, but it still hurts to lose winnable matches.  I know for a fact though that our seniors are very proud of their legacy at Whitman and their individual leadership and play throughout 4 years, this season and in this tournament.  We are also a fairly young team with 3 sophomores and 3 first year players contributing to the counting matches.  Combined with the constant growth of our juniors, our team will be deeper and more competitive next year from all of the experiences we gained this season.

I cannot say enough how proud I am of every player on the team and of how Emily has stepped into the role of coaching.  We wouldn't have had the success we did without a total team effort.  Our team also extends beyond us to those of you who are so wonderful in supporting us.  Whether it is emails or facebook messages from alums and friends, people coming to matches or following our twitter and scores it is a special thing to know you're supported and there is no place that fosters support and community like Whitman.  Dena, Mark, Sandy, Bob, Annie, Johanna and Abby it was so great to spend time with you and have you at the match.

Thank you all so much for a special season.  We're not done yet, and there is a lot to look forward to next year, but having you behind us has made this year nothing short of amazing.

All our best,
John and the Whitman Women's Tennis Team